Forgetting

Causes of forgetting

Forgetting can be deliberate

2 Peter 3:5 NIV

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

Forgetting can be caused by idolatry

Jeremiah 23:25–27 NIV

“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.

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Forgetting can be caused by pride

Hosea 13:4–6 NIV

“But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.

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Forgetting can be caused by drinking

Proverbs 31:4–5 NIV

It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

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Forgetting can be caused by affliction

Psalm 102:4 NIV

My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

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Forgetting people

Genesis 40:23 NIV

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

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Forgetting God

Deuteronomy 32:18 NIV

You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.

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Forgetting God’s acts in the past

Psalm 78:11–20 NIV

They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. He divided the sea and led them through; he made the water stand up like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them water as abundant as the seas; he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers. But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”

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Consequences of forgetting God

Forgetting God brings suffering on the individual

Psalm 50:22 NIV

“Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

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Forgetting God brings suffering on others

David’s forgetting of God in his adultery with Bathsheba led to her husband Uriah suffering death through David’s manipulation of events.

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Forgetting God brings destruction on the nation

Deuteronomy 8:19–20 NIV

If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God.

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Warnings not to forget God

Deuteronomy 6:12 NIV

be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

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People may sometimes feel that God has forgotten them

Psalm 13:1 NIV

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

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God promises never to forget his people

Isaiah 44:21 NIV

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.

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Things God urges believers to forget

Isaiah 43:18 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

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