The Truth In Print, April 2007 Vol. 13 Issue 3
A Publication of the Valley
2375
The Foolishness In Forgetting God’s Word
Trials Should Not Cause Us To Forget God
Consider these words, “All this is come upon
us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy
covenant. [18] Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined
from thy way; [19] Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and
covered us with the shadow of death” (Psalm 44:17-19 ). Some of the Hebrews in
the New Testament had forgotten God and fallen away (Cf. Heb. 6:4-6). Because
one has tasted the kindness of God they should lay aside the old man of sin and desire growth, Peter said (Cf.
I Pet. 2:3).
Strength In Remembering Past Trials Persevered
In
The Hebrews were exhorted to remember their former days
when they endured a great conflict of sufferings, and accepted joyfully the
seizure of their properties (Cf. Heb. 10:32-34). They were mistreated and all
the while sympathetic to those who were being mistreated! They endured such
knowing all the while that they had “a better possession and an abiding one” in
Heaven. Now much later they are told,
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of
reward” (Heb. 10:35). Habitually
remembering their past trial would help to prevent this! How does one speak
when they forget God? Certainly not with the assurance of Heaven! Their attitude
changed and thus their language reflects that change! The point is that through
endurance one receives the eternal reward (Heb. 10:35; 2 Tim. 2:11-13, 4:7-8).
The One Who Perseveres Does Not Shrink Back
The man who perseveres is the one who does not
shrink back. Hear again, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw
back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who
draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul”
(Heb. 10:38-39). To “draw back” in verse 38 means to “withdraw, cower, shrink
back, withhold out of sight” (Cp. Gal. 2:12). We must not be among those who
“draw back to perdition.” Here the words “draw back” mean “a departure,
defection, or apostasy.”
Compare Paul’s statement concerning young
widows who fall away: “But the younger
widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will
marry; [12] Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith” (I
Tim. 5:11-12). Sensual desires led to
the casting off of their faith! The words “casting off” convey the thought of
setting aside, despising or disesteeming something. This is when one says, “I didn’t care what I
did anymore!” Listen carefully. If your temperature is 105 and heart rate 145
then you are in great danger. One can die physically any minute. Concerned
reader, “spiritually” these scriptures show when one is in great danger. If
they die physically they are going to Hell eternally! Do you understand?
Concerning Both The Mind And Conscience
We have this warning: “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (I Tim. 4:1-2). The
conscience that is “seared” is one “rendered insensitive.” Compare this, “Unto
the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is
nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess
that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:15-16). The word
“defiled” means “to stain” with color, thoroughly, i.e. as a piece of garment
can be completely changed in color! Both mind and conscience is thoroughly
stained with the vices of the world by contact with the world!
What Is Happening When One Forgets God?
A. One
is Forgetting His Word.
Hear James, “But whoso looketh into the perfect
law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (Ja. 1:25). There are
degrees of unfaithfulness and “forgetting.” The Psalmist said, “I have gone
astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy
commandments” (Ps. 119:176). If we delight in His statutes we won’t forget His
word: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. [16] I
will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word” (Ps.
119:15-16). Moreover the precepts are
such that they restrain: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I
might keep thy word” (Psalm 119:101). Be glad they do! We will not forget God’s
law even when surrounded by the wicked: “The bands of the wicked have robbed
me: but I have not forgotten thy law” (Psalm 119:61). Not even when in life and
death situations will we forget God’s law! Read again, “My soul is continually
in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law” (Ps. 119:109). Even when we are small and despised by those
about us we will not forget His law! Again, “I am small and despised: yet do
not I forget thy precepts” (Ps. 119:141). Mark this — one who forgets His law
will become your enemy (Ps. 119:139). The one who forgets no longer hates being
double minded! (Ps. 119:113). When one forgets we must ask what kind of company
they have been with (Ps. 19:115). Heed this warning, those who wander will be
made light of by God! (Ps. 119:118).
Concerned reader, James analogy describing
Christians who forget is that of looking into a mirror and then immediately
forgetting what their faces looked like! (James 1:23). He or she forgets the
relationship between speaking, listening, and anger! (James 1:19). He forgets
that his wrath does not work the righteousness of God! (James 1:20). Moreover
he forgets what a Christian needs to clean out of his or her life in order to
be righteous! (James 1:21). Above all he forgets the relationship between
listening to God’s word and doing it! (James 1:22). Yes, this one who forgets
God is the one who did not listen to the warnings and admonitions! We must
exhort all guilty of forgetting. Heed this, “Now consider this, ye that forget
God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. [23] Whoso
offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright
will I shew the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:22-23).
B. One
is Forgetting God’s Benefits — Read Psalms 103.
The important consideration here is what
shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me (Ps. 116:12). I
love the Lord, because He hears my voice and supplications (Ps. 116:1). If we
love Him because He hears, then we’ll render to Him because of His benefits! We
should seek the kind of benefits that enable us to keep His word continually
(Ps. 119:117).
C. One
Would Be Forgetting His Past Deliverances — Read Psalms 106.
Israel’s rebellion by (at) the Red Sea, Ps.
106:7, is “before” they crossed over (Ex. 14:11). Notice that they didn’t understand
God’s wonders, i.e. His marvelous acts of power and control over their enemy
(Pharaoh) in Egypt. Although they saw the plagues, and that they were exempt,
they didn’t gain any deep insight! (Compare Mk. 8:14-21, Mk. 6:47-52, 37-44). Nevertheless God saved them from their
enemies. And “then” they believed but it was short lived! (Ps. 106:8-13). The
“quail” incident is next referred to where God sent a plague to destroy them
(Cf. Nu. Chapter 11). If you are getting
what you want but with chastisement that’s a sure sign that you are not
learning (Cf. Nu. 13:2, 14:1-2 and 14:32). They did this often in the
wilderness (Ps. 78:40-53). Israel could
have been strengthened by remembering God’s wonders of old but they didn’t. We
need to put our confidence in God and not forget His works.
D. One
Would Be Forgetting They Saw The Futility Of Man’s Wrath In The Presence Of
God’s Anger Which Is Far Greater —Read Psalms 76.
Man’s wrath was often
over ruled by God so as to display His justice, glory and power so they would
fear God. This happens in our lives too. We don’t ever want to forget His power
to deliver us and uphold us.
E. One
Is Forgetting That God’s Victories Display His Righteousness (Righteous
Judgment) —-Read Psalms 98.
Dear reader, having read Psalms 98 now
read Psalms 95 and do not harden your
heart! We should be afraid of God’s judgments (Ps. 119:120).
H. One
Would Be Forgetting The Lovingkindness Of The Lord — Read Psalms 107.
Evidence of God’s care for us makes our
enemies ashamed. God shuts their mouths and rightfully so! The wise considers
all these things we’ve studied, and the lovingkindness of the Lord!
Conclusion: Please read Psalms 11 now and
contemplate what we do see in God as we study His wonderful word and works.
By
Bob Lovelace