Forgetting God: Trials should not Lead To
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the journey of faith, believers are often confronted with trials and tribulations that test their devotion and reliance on God. Scripture consistently warns against the peril of forgetting God during such times, emphasizing the importance of steadfastness and remembrance of His faithfulness.

Biblical Warnings Against Forgetting God

The Bible provides numerous admonitions against forgetting God, especially during times of hardship. In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 , Moses cautions the Israelites: "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments and ordinances and statutes which I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses in which to dwell, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud, and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."

This passage underscores the human tendency to forget God when circumstances improve, but it also implies the danger of neglecting Him during trials, as prosperity and adversity alike can lead to spiritual amnesia.

The Role of Trials in Spiritual Growth

Trials are often depicted in Scripture as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. James 1:2-4 encourages believers: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

This perspective suggests that trials should not lead to forgetting God but rather to a more profound engagement with Him, fostering spiritual maturity and resilience.

Examples of Forgetting God in Trials

The Bible provides examples of individuals and nations who forgot God during trials, leading to dire consequences. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, frequently forgot God's past deliverances and provisions, resulting in complaints and rebellion (Exodus 16:2-3, Numbers 14:2-4). These narratives serve as cautionary tales, illustrating the spiritual peril of neglecting God in difficult times.

Encouragement to Remember God

Believers are encouraged to actively remember God's past faithfulness as a means of sustaining their faith during trials. Psalm 77:11-12 declares: "I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds."

This act of remembrance is a deliberate choice to focus on God's character and past interventions, providing strength and hope in the midst of adversity.

Practical Steps to Avoid Forgetting God

1. Regular Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in consistent prayer and meditation on Scripture helps maintain a focus on God, even when circumstances are challenging.

2. Community Support: Fellowship with other believers provides encouragement and accountability, reminding individuals of God's presence and promises.

3. Gratitude and Worship: Cultivating a heart of gratitude and engaging in worship can shift focus from present difficulties to God's eternal goodness and sovereignty.

4. Recounting Testimonies: Sharing and reflecting on personal testimonies of God's faithfulness can reinforce trust in His continued provision and care.

By implementing these practices, believers can guard against the tendency to forget God during trials, ensuring that their faith remains anchored in His unchanging nature and promises.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 44:17-20
All this is come on us; yet have we not forgotten you, neither have we dealt falsely in your covenant.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Bottle in the Smoke
... I have gone straight on, never once forgetting God's statutes or ... it is the stormy
petrels that are God's favorites. ... who, when they have any trials, can manage ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a bottle in the smoke.htm

The Power of Sorrow.
... There is little chance of a child forgetting that fire ... as if nothing cured it: heartache
and trials come in ... sprung precisely from this"that he saw God in it ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/viii the power of sorrow.htm

Letter xix. Submission to the Will of God; Dependence Upon Him for ...
... the immediate causes of their distress; forgetting that these ... all the crosses and
difficulties, trials and afflictions ... ungrateful for a child of God to repine ...
/.../letter xix submission to the.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... way lies the course of duty on particular trials, we shall ... some kind of prayer in
Church to God; or sometimes ... the business of the day, quite forgetting, to any ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

Letter vii. --On Darkness and Want of Feeling.
... FOURTH BOOK: THE FIRST TRIALS OF SOULS CALLED TO THE STATE ... do your share of the work
in forgetting yourself to ... contrary, it is often a sign that God desires to ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter vii on darkness and want.htm

Progress (Preached Before the Queen at Clifden, June 3, 1866. )
... Paul, forgetting those things that are behind us, and ... day our strength shall be;
and of God's tender providence ... of youth, will bring us through the trials of age ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xii progress preached before.htm

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... not this very much arise from our forgetting that God ... Little trials, if
unblessed"if unattended with the divine favour ... be active in the cause of God, or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

All the Day Long
... men, be with them but be not of them, if that would involve thy forgetting thy Lord ...
Your difficulties and trials are sent as messenger from God with gracious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/all the day long.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... Forgetting charity, they despised one another ... wonderfully governed and preserved
by God, without human ... the midst of manifold temptations, trials, suffering and ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

The Bliss of the Glorified
... These are sharp trials"these heats"but you shall ... through the cares we continually
invent, forgetting the words ... enjoyed, and the love of God fully revealed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the bliss of the glorified.htm

Resources
What are the seven things God hates? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian use a dating service to find a spouse? | GotQuestions.org

Can/should a Christian who is a virgin marry someone who is not a virgin? | GotQuestions.org

Forgetting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Forgetting

Forgetting God is Forgetting his Covenant

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Benefits

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Covenant

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Law

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Past Deliverance

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Power to Deliver

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Word

Forgetting God is Forgetting His: Works

Forgetting God: A Characteristic of the Wicked

Forgetting God: Backsliders are Guilty of

Forgetting God: Backsliders Guilty of

Forgetting God: Benefits

Forgetting God: Cautions Against

Forgetting God: Encouraged by False Teachers

Forgetting God: Exhortation to Those Guilty of

Forgetting God: Law

Forgetting God: Past Deliverances

Forgetting God: Power to Deliver

Forgetting God: Prosperity Leads To

Forgetting God: Prosperity often Leads To

Forgetting God: Punishment of

Forgetting God: Resolve Against

Forgetting God: The People of God

Forgetting God: Threatened

Forgetting God: Trials should not Lead To

Forgetting God: Word

Forgetting God: Works

Forgetting the Past

Related Terms

Forgetful (4 Occurrences)

Forget (77 Occurrences)

Forgetteth (10 Occurrences)

Lies (208 Occurrences)

Imagine (24 Occurrences)

Forsaking (29 Occurrences)

Reckon (34 Occurrences)

Reviving (4 Occurrences)

Revive (31 Occurrences)

Reaching (22 Occurrences)

Mixture (16 Occurrences)

Physician (6 Occurrences)

Ba'als (19 Occurrences)

Ashe'roth (1 Occurrence)

Apprehended (5 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Stretching (84 Occurrences)

Straining (4 Occurrences)

Greatness (63 Occurrences)

Filling (29 Occurrences)

Count (85 Occurrences)

Possession (251 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Past (200 Occurrences)

Behind (188 Occurrences)

Consider (178 Occurrences)

Philippi (8 Occurrences)

Forgive (81 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Front (327 Occurrences)

Array (63 Occurrences)

Regard (230 Occurrences)

Setting (82 Occurrences)

Forward (252 Occurrences)

Great (10383 Occurrences)

Hold (500 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Forgetting God: Threatened
Top of Page
Top of Page