Preaching on Forgetting the Things God Has Done for Us
Today, we confront a profound and often subtle problem that afflicts the human heart: Easily Forgetting Things of God. It’s a struggle as old as humanity itself, a tendency to let slip from our minds the good deeds, the faithfulness, and the saving acts of others, and most critically, of God Himself.
One of the greatest problems of the human being is his tendency to easily forget what others have done for him. And this forgetfulness is often directly related to ingratitude. When we forget the source of our blessings or the kindness shown to us, our hearts grow cold and unthankful.
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As Christians, we must diligently cultivate an attitude of grateful memory, especially towards God and towards others. Our base texts, Psalm 106:13, 21 and Deuteronomy 4:9, highlight this danger of forgetfulness in profound ways. Psalm 106 laments of Israel, "They soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plans... They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt." And Moses warns in Deuteronomy 4:9, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
In this message, we will look at powerful biblical examples of people who have forgotten God's works and His ways, and how this forgetfulness tragically affects our relationship with God, and indeed, our destiny.
I. Biblical Examples of the Danger of Forgetfulness
The pages of Scripture are filled with cautionary tales demonstrating the peril of forgetting.
A. Pharaoh's Worker Forgot Joseph (Genesis 40:23): Joseph, languishing in prison, interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer, accurately predicting his restoration to Pharaoh's service. Joseph specifically asked him, "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison."
• Yet, Genesis 40:23 records: "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him."
• Application: This is a common human failing. Sometimes, once we are out of trouble or our needs are met, we easily forget those who helped us when we were in dire need. This reflects a self-centeredness and ingratitude that is displeasing to God.
B. Israel Forgot the Wonders of God (Exodus 32:8; Psalms 106:13, 21): This is perhaps the most prominent example of collective forgetfulness in the Bible. Just a short time after witnessing the miraculous plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and receiving the Ten Commandments at Sinai, Israel fell into idolatry.
• In Exodus 32:8, God tells Moses, "They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’"
• Psalm 106:13 confirms: "They soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plans." And Psalm 106:21: "They forgot God their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt."
• Application: This warns us against modern idolatry. When we forget God's past deliverance and provision, we become susceptible to "golden calves" of our own making – materialism, pride, self-sufficiency, trusting in human efforts or possessions more than the living God. Forgetting what God has done now leads us to various forms of idolatry.
C. A Generation Neglected Teaching its Children (Deuteronomy 4:9; Judges 2:10): Moses passionately warned Israel about the danger of intergenerational spiritual amnesia.
• Deuteronomy 4:9: "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
• Despite this warning, Judges 2:10 sadly states: "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."
• Application: This is a grave warning for Christian families and the church. When we forget our spiritual roots, when we neglect to diligently teach the next generation about God's character, His Word, and His mighty acts, the succeeding generations will not know God. Spiritual forgetfulness is a generational curse if not actively countered.
D. Nine Lepers Did Not Return Giving Thanks (Luke 17:11-19): Jesus miraculously healed ten lepers, a profound act of compassion and power.
• Yet, Luke 17:11-19 reveals: "One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?'" Only one returned to be grateful.
• Application: This poignant story highlights the common human tendency to receive blessings from God but offer little or no glory, gratitude, or praise in return. We can be so quick to enjoy the benefits without acknowledging the Benefactor.
E. Judas Forgot the Love of Christ (John 13:5; John 18:2-3): Judas Iscariot spent three years in intimate fellowship with Jesus, witnessing His miracles, hearing His teachings, and even participating in His ministry. He saw Jesus' love, exemplified even in the foot-washing described in John 13:5: "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
• Yet, despite everything he lived with Jesus, John 18:2-3 records his ultimate betrayal: "Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew this place [Gethsemane] because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons."
• Application: This is a terrifying example. We can have close communion with God, experience His love, hear His Word, and even serve in His name, and yet tragically forget it all if we do not cultivate constant gratitude, reverence, and faithful obedience. Judas's forgetfulness led to the ultimate act of betrayal.
F. Children Who Forget Their Parents (1 Timothy 5:4): Paul, in giving instructions for caring for widows, emphasizes the responsibility of children and grandchildren.
• 1 Timothy 5:4: "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God." There are children who, tragically, mistreat or neglect their elderly parents, forgetting the sacrifices received.
• Application: Family ingratitude, manifested in neglecting or dishonoring parents, reflects a profound forgetfulness of the love, care, and sacrifices received throughout life. This is not only a social failing but a spiritual one, dishonoring God's command to honor parents.
II. Warnings and Calls Not to Be Forgotten
God, in His mercy, provides warnings and calls us to actively remember, not to forget.
A. Let us not forget what God has done (Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 1:9):
• God has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness: Colossians 1:13: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." To forget this monumental salvation is to despise His grace.
• 2 Peter 1:9 warns against spiritual myopia: "But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins." Forgetting our cleansing from sin leads to a lack of diligence in growing in Christ.
B. God does not forget about us (Psalms 77:9; 2 Peter 3:9): Even though we may forget Him, God remains faithful to His promises and His people.
• Psalm 77:9: "Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" The Psalmist wrestles with this, but the ultimate answer of Scripture is no, God does not forget.
• 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." God's patience is proof that He has not forgotten His ultimate purpose of salvation for humanity.
C. We must forget the bad of the past (Philippians 3:13): Paradoxically, while we must remember God's good deeds, we are called to forget certain things – specifically, past sins (once confessed and forgiven), failures, and pains that hinder our progress in Christ.
• Philippians 3:13: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." This is a call to press forward in faith, not to be shackled by past regrets or failures that God has already forgiven.
D. If we forget God, He will also forget us: This is a biblical principle implicit in several texts, a solemn warning about the eternal consequences of persistent spiritual forgetfulness and negligence toward God. While God's character is faithful, if we deliberately and continually forget Him, refusing to acknowledge His sovereignty and grace, there will be eternal consequences. To forget God is to reject Him, and He will reject those who reject Him (e.g., Matthew 10:33).
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Conclusion
My beloved brothers and sisters, the human tendency to easily forget is a dangerous spiritual malady. It leads to ingratitude, idolatry, spiritual decline across generations, and ultimately, alienation from God.
Let us heed the warnings from Scripture. Let us diligently cultivate a grateful memory, constantly recalling God's mighty acts, His faithful provision, and His incomparable love in Christ Jesus. Let us teach our children and grandchildren so that they too may know and remember the Lord.
May we be a people characterized not by forgetfulness, but by a vibrant, active memory of all that God has done, is doing, and will do, to His glory.
