Forgetting God

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:1-18

I. Richard Brookhiser’s book Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington

A. From his Revolutionary War prowess until a few decades ago, Washington was an important character in our heritage and beloved among Americans

B. He was the only President who twice received a unanimous vote in the Electoral College In 1776 many sons were named Washington He is the subject of many monuments and paintings in the capitol and around the country All across our country cities and streets are named after him. He was “first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

C. In the past few decades, George Washington has left his honorable position

D. We see his likeness on President’s day hawking cars We know about his false teeth and chopping down the cherry tree Liberal historians tear at his service and legacy

E. Brookhiser: “Washington has moved away from us. He is in our textbooks and our wallets, but not our hearts.”

F. While it is tragic that a nation who owes so much to one man and can forget his contribution and significance, it is more tragic when people forget the importance of God.

G. No one can forget that God exists

H. His attributes and power are clear in nature and our spirit yearns for him Some choose to ignore Him or do not believe in Him; but they know of Him

I. Some who claim to serve Him do not have Him in their hearts, as the center of their lives

J. They will worship Him a couple of days a year He is on the periphery every other day of the year

K. Jeremiah 2:28-32

L. Israel forgot God and followed idols but their idols could not save them God had not been hidden from them but they would not go to HimA bride will not forget her dress or jewelry—it would be ridiculous to consider because it is not natural—yet Israel forgot their crown, God

M. We cannot forget that God exists; we can forget about Him on any given day

II. We must not forget God

A. To forget God is to lose one’s foundation

B. Job 8:8-15

C. There is no solid foundation except on God Psalm 127:1 – Labor on any other foundation is vain Luke 6:46-49 – we must build our lives on the solid foundation of God and His word or we will perish

D. To forget God is to forget what He has done for us

E. Psalm 103:1-18 -the psalmist recites many things that God has done for Israel many which parallel what God has done for us; His “benefits”

F. Forgiven sins

G. He has redeemed us, forgiven us, and has not repaid what our sins deserved

H. 2 Peter 1:9

I. The Christian’s sins have been forgiven and he must grow in God He is to add to his faith so that he will become more like Christ and useful in God’s service The person who fails to add to his faith and grow will not be useful at all and has apparently forgotten about his forgiveness When a person does not retain God in his knowledge and God does not rule in his heart, he will be insignificant in his life.

J. He has made His ways known to us and taught us righteousness He is eternal and we are finite but He has not forgotten us The peril of Israel was that they did not keep God in their hearts and eventually forgot the great things God did for them. If God does not rule in our hearts we will eventually forget what he has done for us.

K. To forget God is to exalt oneself

L. If we do not exalt God in our hearts we exalt ourselves instead

M. We begin to think about how great we are instead of how great God is. We do not diligently follow His will but satisfy our own will and desires We forget who delivered us and trust in our own strength. How do I know this will happen? It happened to Israel of Old. Deuteronomy 8:11-19

III. Summary: Chuck Durham, in an article about God being in our heart, observed, “If God is not in our hearts, He might as well not exist…If God captures not this citadel, then all is lost. Without being in our hearts, God is reduced to a mere footnote in our existence. Maybe we honor him on [holidays], or dangle a cross around our necks, but it is meaningless rubbish [if we do not love Him with all our heart].”

IV. Do not forget God in your life. Let God rule in your heart and let His rule change your life. Remember His greatness, His benefits, lest you lose your foundation, forget what great things He has done for you, and exalt yourself to your own destruction.

V. Inspired by an article by Chuck Durham