Who Has Forgotten?

Be very careful lest you forget the Lord your God, by not keeping his commandments and his judgments and his statutes   Deuteronomy 8:11

Forget – What is the opposite of “forget?”  Did you say, “Remember?”  Your answer is only partial correct.  The Bible uncovers a deeper meaning for “forget.”  The essence of forgetting is spelled out in this verse.  It is the failure to keep the commandments.  Forgetting is not a mental lapse.  Forgetting is the failure to act in accordance with the nature of God.   The antonym of “forget” is “obey.”  The synonym of “forget” is “pride.”

The implications are unnerving.  In the Bible’s view of forgetting (Hebrew – shakach), it is completely possible to actually remember all the necessary facts about God and still forget Him.  I can have all the doctrine committed to memory.  I can quote Scripture.  I can say the creeds and perform all the proper religious rituals.  It means nothing.  I have still forgotten God if I do not act according to His commandments.  My religious mental accumulation carries no weight if I lie, perform unfaithful acts, usurp God’s authority, attempt to use His name and power for personal gain, serve any other thing as greater than God or carry any inward motivation that could lead to illegitimate actions. 

Why is forgetting a synonym of pride?  Because when I forget God by failing to act in accordance with His character, I endorse my own self-sufficiency.  I act as though my own efforts bring about my success.  I assume an attitude of personal ability.  And in the process, I violate the first commandment.

Let no one claim that you have forgotten God!  You might not know all the theology.  You may not remember every Hebrew word or Greek nuance.  But none of that determines the accusation of forgetfulness.  Your life – your daily actions – demonstrate whether or not you have forgotten the King of glory.  Your thoughts and desires reveal whether or not you serve the Lord of lords.  Your attitudes display whether or not you bow down to idols. 

Did you forget God when you manipulated the tax return?

Did you forget God when you held that grudge?

Did you forget God when you withheld information?

Did you forget God when you tolerated sinfulness?

Did you forget God when you ignored those in need?

Did you forget God when you put your welfare ahead of others?

Did you forget God when you refused to deny yourself?