Forget-Me-Not
“16Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
15See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me”(New International Version, 2011, Isa. 49:15-16).1
The Revelation in the Flower
Have you ever felt forgotten by God? It has been my observation that many people can relate to this feeling at some point in their lives. Whether it’s something not going as you had prayed, or a breakthrough that is taking a long time to fully manifest, these times certainly can test our faith and perseverance. While pondering this the other day, the Lord brought a theme to mind using a flower called “Forget-Me-Not.” It’s the name of a small (usually) blue flower that grows closely to the ground. There are many legends or myths as to how it got its name, some go way back. However, the main theme is that because this flower is small and grows close to the ground, it could be easily overlooked.
The message God was conveying to me was that no matter how insignificant or small we feel in this big world, or how trivial our problem is, He sees, cares and hasn’t forgotten about us or our situation; He never has and never will. He truly is a God who loves to be involved in the details of our lives. I mean, He even knows the number of hairs on our head!
“6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”(New International Version, 2011, Luke 12:6-7).1
The God Who Sees Me
There is a story in the Bible that I am sure many are familiar with. I want to bring it to light as it goes well with this theme. In Genesis chapters 15-17 it talks about an important biblical figure of a man named Abram. However, I want to focus on a woman within this story named Hagar. Hagar was an Egyptian slave to Sarai, Abram’s wife (God later renamed them Sarah and Abraham). Abram and Sarai were promised by God that they would have descendants as many as the stars in the sky even though Sarai could not bear children. When time went on and both got significantly older and the promise still hadn’t come to pass, Sarai decided to try and “help” God. So, she told her husband to be with her slave girl Hagar. He did as she suggested, but once Hagar got pregnant Sarai became jealous and treated her poorly. As a result, Hagar fled into the desert. But God, who was watching this unfold, visited Hagar and told her that she is pregnant with a son she should name Ishmael. Furthermore, God promised to multiply her descendants as well (New International Version, 2011, Gen. 15-17). She was so touched that she called God El-roi, which in Hebrew means, “God sees me.”
“So she named the LORD who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me” (CSB, 2017, Gen. 16:13)?2
Also, spoiler for those who maybe haven’t read it: Abraham and Sarah eventually do have a son together who they named Isaac. So, God was faithful to what He had promised. Something about this story and that name El-roi just hit me though. I then remembered all these other stories or verses in the Bible where God confirms this name El-roi to be true to His character. For example, I love how He often personally visited those who were deemed outcasts, insignificant, frowned upon or unwanted in society. It proves that He never changes, just as He said. A few examples that I found include Zacchaeus, the cheating tax collector; the leper whom Jesus healed through touch, which the law of Moses had forbidden; or the woman at the well, who was a Samaritan and living in sin. Another example is King David. He started out as a shepherd and wasn’t even invited when the prophet came to pick a king among his brothers. The list could go on, but the point is: He sees you, He cares about you, and He qualifies you.
Disappointments and Lessons:
What if things don’t go as we prayed, thus challenging the belief that we are not forgotten? This is something I have wrestled with the Lord on many times over the years. I have found that some things we simply won’t understand on this side of time. Other things we get to know later on; but one thing is constant, and that is His character which is always good. Furthermore, He came to give life and is always for us not against us. So, I have found peace in knowing His character because in it we can trust that He has our best interest at heart and will work it all somehow for our good.
Here are some of my favorite verses that demonstrate His character:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (New International Version, 2011, James 1:17).1
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (New King James Version, 1982, Ps. 34:8).3
“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (Amplified Bible, 2015, John 10:10).4
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us” (New International Version, 2011, Rom. 8:31)?1
Lastly, something else He has been teaching me related to this is to not find peace in trying to understand. Find it in Him instead. He sees everything from beginning to end, and we don’t. It would be too much for us to handle, but He can. You can trust Him. Ask Him to help you if you struggle; He always does.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”(English Standard Version Bible, 2016, Prov. 3:5-6).5
Personal Testimony:
I remember a time when God demonstrated these concepts powerfully in my life. I was battling some long-standing health issues, and after trying many doctors I was led to a new one who seemed very much a Godsend. However, as time drew near for my first appointment, I began feeling physically so bad that I didn’t think I could go. It was a longer drive there, and I just didn’t feel well. As I laid in my bed the night before, feelings of despair and disappointment began washing over me. I told Him, “God I feel forgotten by you.” Suddenly, I saw a picture in my mind of Jesus walking into my room as I drifted off to sleep. I thought maybe it was just my imagination until I woke up the next morning when I could feel Him beside my bed. He felt like a warm happy peace. I then noticed despite the little sleep I had that I felt normal! All my symptoms were miraculously gone, which had always made it hard to go anywhere and were particularly bad the night before! They always used to get worse before an appointment, so this felt so odd and unusual that I knew it was His grace temporarily enabling me where I was weak. Thus, I was able to get up and go to that doctor appointment!
It’s been a couple of years since then, and when I say He has done a miracle, I am not kidding. He has dramatically worked through that doctor to bring healing to me and He is still completing the work He started. However, not only was He being my strength where I was weak in that moment, but also it was as if He was giving me a temporary glimpse into what He is bringing permanently into my life.
Revelations and Encouragement:
Why is God using a doctor and not just healing me miraculously? I am not sure, it’s a mystery; but either way it is Him who directed me to her. As I said above, I am learning to trust His character more than my understanding. I do want to mention that I always shoot for the instant healing because that is what He paid for on the cross. However, I have learned that sometimes it comes in increments like the Israelites possessing the promised land one giant at a time.
“who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed”(New King James Version, 1982, 1 Pet. 2:24).3
I did gain a lot of knowledge about how to steward my health in this process, taking responsibility where I can and partnering with Him in taking good care of the temple that He has blessed me with. I have also grown closer to Him as He has drawn near to me when I needed Him most. Additionally, during my illness I have found it essential to establish habits of spending time with Him, listening to uplifting sermons, surrounding myself with godly community, along with being in the Word. These are key to tuning into His heart, building that trust in His character and nurturing my faith. I also found that journaling is a big key because it helps me to process with Him while seeing how faithful He has been. Moreover, He has been teaching me that even though He didn’t cause the sickness, He is using what the enemy sent to destroy me to refine me and actually heal me. Ultimately, whatever way He heals me, the end result is always good.
Lastly, He has shown me that He doesn’t waste pain either; the pain in the process He will use to benefit both you and others. I share these things because I want to encourage you through some of the revelations He has taught me while also bringing hope to those who are dealing with illness (and really anything for that matter) where they feel forgotten. He sees, cares, and is working on your behalf. He hasn’t forgotten about you!
“who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”(New King James Version, 1982, 2 Cor. 1:4).3
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”(New King James Version, 1982, Rom. 8:28).3
Concluding Thoughts:
I hope this encouraged you today, that just like the small Forget-Me-Not flower you are cared for by God. He is El-roi, the God who sees you. Can I challenge you to spend time with Him and in His Word? You will find that it’s worth it because it will build your trust in His good character and not your own understanding. God wants to nurture and care for you in the waiting but often we have to partner with Him; it’s like a dance, just follow His lead. He will be with you every step of the way, so you can rest. Just watch, He will work everything for your good.
“Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word];” (Amplified Bible, 2015, Heb. 10:23).4
Blessings!
Ariana 😊
References:
Amplified Bible. (2015). The Lockman Foundation, https://www.blueletterbible.org/amp/jhn/10/10/s_1007010
Amplified Bible. (2015). The Lockman Foundation, https://www.blueletterbible.org/amp/heb/10/23/s_1143023
Christian Standard Bible. (2017). Holman Bible Publishers. https://www.blueletterbible.org/csb/gen/16/13/s_16013
English Standard Version Bible. (2016). ESV Online. https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/pro/3/5-6/s_631005
New International Version Bible. (2011). Biblica, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/rom/8/31/s_1054031
New International Version Bible. (2011). Biblica, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/isa/49/15-16/s_728015
New International Version Bible. (2011). Biblica, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/luk/12/6-7/s_985006
New International Version Bible. (2011). Biblica, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/niv/jas/1/17/s_1147017
New King James Version Bible. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/1pe/2/24/s_1153024
New King James Version Bible. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/rom/8/28/s_1054028
New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/psa/34/8/s_512008
New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/2co/1/4/s_1079004
Footnotes:
[1] All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®
[2] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[4] All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. lockman.org
[5] “Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
