A few years ago, I attended a speaking engagement at a large church. The speaker was an American Evangelical theologian and philosopher who wanted to show that faith could be reasonable. He ended his talk that day by saying he thought God could forget you. Literally, he suggested God could forget you existed on this earth if you didn't pray often enough to remind Him of your needs. Once reminded, God could then answer your prayers (presumably, after He had been appropriately nudged and made aware that you, in fact, did exist).
What is the point of a story about a man so unhappily in error, fearful that God might forget him? The point is that he should read the Psalms more often, and specifically Psalm 121. There is nothing that God is not aware of, because "He who keeps you will not slumber." God always knows who you are, where you are, and He loves you. He is not some forgetful parent who might give you something if you remember to ask for it properly: "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Has God never slept then? Well, He did at one point. When He was born a child in Bethlehem, and when He lived on this earth. God has not forgotten you, and He will never forget you, because He is God, Immanuel-God with us. The Creator "will not let your foot slip," much less forget you or leave you without a Savior.
God knows you, the Creator provides for you, and we celebrate His coming into the world with great joy at this time of year. We remember the Christ-child, Jesus our Immanuel, who slept in the manger, the Savior of the world who never slumbers.
THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, You have put the stars in their places; You guard us from all evil and watch over our lives, and You gave Your Son to become one of us. Help us remember to give You thanks for all we have, and for saving us when we didn't deserve it. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Written by Pastor Matthew Mortenson
Faith Lutheran Church
Humboldt, Nebraska
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