The Lord, however, celebrates and remembers us every day. He has remembered his people throughout all generations (Psalm 105:8) and continues to remember us every moment of every day. We can be confident that whatever we are going through, He sees us and remembers us.
In the Bible, the phrase, “God remembered” often implies not only recollection but divine powerful response and intervention. His remembrance is intertwined with His covenants and promises.
He remembered Noah and the ark after the flood and caused the waters to subside (Genesis 8:1). He remembered the Israelites in Exodus when they were in bondage crying out for deliverance. They may have felt that they were forgotten, but all along, He heard them and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He remembered Hannah who was desperate for a child. For years, she cried out desperately to conceive having no indication that it would ever happen. Then finally, finally, the Lord remembered her and blessed her with child (1 Samuel 1:19).
He remembered Cornelius. Although the Bible does not tell us what Cornelius’ need was, we are told that he was a devout man who prayed continuously. Eventually, an angel of God appeared before him in a vision to inform him that God had remembered him. “. . . And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” (Acts 10:4)
Just as He remembered Noah, the Israelites, Hannah, and Cornelius, He remembers us also. Moreover, He did not just remember them, but He delivered them and just as He delivered them, He will deliver us.
So, if the Lord can remember anything and everything, can He also forget? Of course not. Isaiah 40:26 tells us that God calls the stars by their names and that not one of them is missing and amazingly, He even knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7) and He knows our hearts (Luke 16:25).
Our heavenly Father hears all our petitions from the first time that we present them; but He will only move in His perfect timing. He heard the Israelites cry out to Him, years before He delivered them. It wasn’t time for Him to move. He saw Hannah’s despair year after year, but it wasn’t time for her to conceive. He had always heard Cornelius’s prayers, but it wasn’t time for Him to act. He always remembered. And He has heard your cry from the first time you petitioned Him whether it has been a day, a month, or years. He is going to deliver you at the perfect time.
There is one exception to His remembrance, however, the Lord actually does forget one thing – He forgets our sins when we repent of them and turn to our Lord Jesus. 1 John 1:9 reminds us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And in Hebrews 8:12, God says, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more,”
And Praise God, He remembers us not only in this life, but for those of who accept Jesus as our personal savior, He will remember us after we pass from this world. He has promised that He will raise us up and welcome us into His eternal kingdom to dwell forever.
Be encouraged during times of great difficulty and discouragement. Our heavenly Father never forgets you.