I can see a lot of us shaking our heads and saying, “No! I have never forsaken God!” If you are a Christian, this thought probably seems shocking and unimaginable. But let’s pause for a moment to consider if we have ever left God behind or forgotten about Him for a time.
Have you forsaken God?
Here are just a few ways we may have forsaken God:
- Doubted God’s goodness, faithfulness, or provision during times of difficulty
- Forgot that God was in control and took matters into our own hands
- Failed to give God glory or recognition when He answered our prayers
- Didn’t remember God’s past mighty works or intervention on our behalf
I don’t know about you, but I must admit that I have forsaken God. My friend Janet Thompson addresses this topic in her new book, “Forsaken God: Remembering the Goodness of God our Culture has Forgotten.” In Forsaken God?, Janet helps us recall our own memories of God and learn new ways to remember God’s goodness. She also shows us the power of sharing those memories with the next generation.
Today, Janet shares some thoughts from Forsaken God? to help put us on a path of remembering our great God!
Today’s culture is quickly forgetting the goodness and power of our Great God. If we don’t remember what God has already done, we won’t believe what He is capable of doing in the future. Memory builds faith.
The Bible describes the potential destruction to people who forget and forsake God. The dangers are paramount. We read the Old Testament and lament at how forgetful the Israelites were of God’s goodness. Every time he did something good for them, they started grumbling that they needed something else.
God was only as good as the next miracle or provision. A forsaken God.
We wonder at how the Israelites could be so blind and ungrateful. Why couldn’t they trust that a God who provided and protected them in the past, would do the same in the present and future? But are we any different today?
Our memories tend to be very short. God has done amazing things in our lives, but when the next crisis arises, we panic that He might not show up for us this time. Or when prayers are answered, we might take credit ourselves or offer praise to someone else instead of giving God the glory and recognition he deserves.
We would never intentionally forsake God, but if we’re honest, we do unintentionally forget Him.
We live in a world today that is quickly trying to eliminate God from the public square and even in the private domain. Christians must help a lost world remember God and that starts with remembering him ourselves.
Questions to Prompt Your Memory
Use the following four questions to get the memories flowing. Have a journal or notebook ready to record what God brings to mind:
- What has God been doing in your life?
- How did you become a Christian?
- How does God help you through the day?
- How did God answer a prayer request?
Helps to Remember the Future
Now with some past memories firmly in place, let’s be purposeful in recognizing and remembering the things God will do in the future. Here are some ways to capture them:
- Take pictures
- Journal
- Read our Bibles
- Receive Communion
- Keep an ongoing “thankful list”
- Join a small group
- Share with others
What other ways can you think of to remember and share the goodness of God?
Janet’s book is challenging and practical. If you want to cling to the goodness of God and share it with the next generation, get a copy of Forsaken God?” today! Each chapter includes questions and conversation starters for discussion in small groups, Bible study groups, book clubs, mentors and mentees, or with family and friends.
Forsaken God? is available at:
- Christian bookstores
- Amazon
- Christianbook.com
- You can also get a signed copy at Janet’s website.
I really don’t have a comment but i like what i have read so far this is my first time.
Patsy, glad you found the site! I hope you find encouragement here!