Sermon
# 152 Series: Isaiah
Title: “Yet Will I Not Forget Thee”
Text: Isaiah 49:14-16
Subject: God’s Promise Never To
Forget His People
Date: Sunday Afternoon – May 30, 1993
Introduction:
In verse 13 Isaiah calls for heaven and earth to sing and rejoice. Well might the earth and the mountains of it break forth into singing. “for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted!”
But
we do not always see things in the light of eternity. We do not always view things in the light of God’s promise, or
in the light of his revealed purpose – Do we?
To often, far to often, we…
Judge the Lord by feeble sense
And will not trust His grace;
Behind the frowning
providence,
We think there must also be a
frowning face!
“God said, “Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).
“But
Zion said, “That is the Church and
people of God often say, “The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten
me!” What a pity! How shameful. Yet, this is the common complaint of many, and at one time or another
has been the complaint (I suppose) of all God’s people in this world. Though I have never used these words, lest
“I should offend against the generation of thy children,” I have often made
this complaint against my God.
Today,
I went to chastise myself, correct our thinking about God’s faithfulness, and
comfort the heart of all who trust Christ.
I take God’s words to you who are his chosen, redeemed, called people in
verse 15, for the title of my message.
God says to you and me. “Yet Will I Not Forget Thee!” What
a word of grace that is! What a
gracious promise!
Proposition: The Lord God has promised never to forget, much less
forsake hispeople in this world.
Divisions:
I want to show you three things in this message:
I. The Complaint – (v. 14).
This
complaint, as I said before, is not uncommon among God’s people. Indeed, it is far too common.
A. As I head the Scriptures and
Reflect upon My Own Experience, I think there Are Three Things Primarily That
Give Birth To This Complaint.
1. Protracted Affliction (Job 6:2-9; Lam. 3:1-20).
B. Yet, no matter what gives
birth to it, this complaint against God is unwarranted and reveals much about
us, while we live in this body of flesh.
1. Though we believe God, there is so much unbelief
in our hearts that we would all perish, were our acceptance with God determined
by the quality of our faith!
2. Though we gladly bow to the rule of God’s
purpose and providence, our impatience with God’s providence reveals an evil,,
rebellious nature within. We are sinners still!
We need…
· Forgiveness!
3. Though our affection is in heaven, we still have
too much morbid care for this world! If
we loved this world less, we would not complain so much about our lot in it.
Note: Frequently, the most painful, bitter complaints arise
because of a melancholy spirit, a weakness of the mind and heart which satan
sizes upon and uses to torment some of God’s dear children.
Illus: William Cowper
Ferrell
II. The Consolation- (v. 15).
Our
heavenly Father desires that his children in this world be assured of his love
and care and filled strong consolation.
A. The Illustration- Mothers seldom forget their
children or cease to love them.
Illus: The Hanged Man in Wake County, NC – “He is my son,
and I love him!” But sometimes they do cease their own to cherish.
B. The Assurance- “Yet will I not forget thee!”
I
Samuel 12:22 “The Lord will not forsake you, for his name’s sakes for it
pleased the Lord to make you his people.
Malachi
2: 16 – “He hate the putting away!”
Romans
11:29 – “The gifts and callings of God!”
Hebrews
13:5-6
Deuteronomy
11:12 – “From the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Forever.”
Isaiah
33:16 – “Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure!”
C. The Confirmation – (v. 16).
1. “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms
of my hands!” – Everytime I open my hand I am reminded of you.
2. As an architect sees the whole building
complete, even before the foundation is laid, so the Lord God views his church
and every member of it – “Thy walls are continually before me!”
God
will never forget his purpose of grace toward us! Though often it may appear that God has forsaken us, he never can
(Isa. 54:7-10, 17; II Tim. 2:13).
III. The Cause
God will not forsake his own. The cause why he will not is fourfold.
A. The Purpose of God according to election
must stand (Rom. 9:11).
B. The Immutability of God’s Grace necessitates
His Faithfulness to His People (Mal. 3:6).
C. He will Never Forsake Us because No Cause
Can Ever be Found Why He Should Forsake Us.
D. The work which God began in us he will
complete – (Phil. 1:6; I Thess. 5:23-24).
Application:
1. To you who have forsaken and forgotten your God – (Pro. 1:23-30).