Isaiah 49–Can a Mother Forget Her Child?

Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. . .
–Isaiah 49:14-16

Our congregation has been blessed with a few “little” additions over the past couple of months. Sharon and Reuel (pictured here) were blessed with their first child a few weeks ago. Joel and Eden had their second child a little over a week ago. I was able to visit them in the hospital a few days after the birth.

There’s a special bond that forms between parents and a newborn child—this extraordinary relationship is easily observed. Parents will simply stare at the new edition to the family. This is especially true with the mother, who felt the child develop inside her own body. This love is one of the purest forms of love and devotion in the world.

Babies require constant care and attention, and that is exactly what they receive. Ask a new parent how their baby is doing. You can get a complete report on feeding habits, sleeping schedule, and even bowel movements. Every detail is carefully monitored during those first months of life.

Could new parents ever forget their baby? This ridiculous question is one of many that God asks through Isaiah. As we’ve seen before, such questions are given to demonstrate a spiritual truth.

Remember that much is written in Isaiah about God’s judgment on His people. God’s people disobeyed Him and suffered the consequences. Because of God’s judgment, they thought He had forgotten or forsaken them. “Never!” God responded.

God cannot forget His children, just as earthly parents cannot forget theirs. Remember that God’s love is even more pure and intense than the mother-child bond.

Most of us have been angry with God at some point in our lives. During these times, we may feel as though He has forgotten us. It is easy to think this way when we are suffering, even when the suffering is our own fault (this was the case with Israel).

No matter what we are experiencing, we can be sure that God has not forgotten us! If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you are engraved on the palms of His hands (this verse takes special meaning when we consider the cross). You are the object of His attention, just like a newborn baby is the object of the parents’ attention. He will not forget you—ever.

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Kevin

I am a follower of Jesus, husband, pastor, author, and caffeine addict. Please follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You may also want to consider subscribing to the RSS feed.

9 thoughts on “Isaiah 49–Can a Mother Forget Her Child?”

  1. Nah!… but a father might.

    This past week I happened to visit with one of my friends during our church youth days. At 52 now, he is a father to 9 children. He says sometimes he gets into trouble of calling out some 2-3 names of his kids before he hits the right one!

    Aren’t we glad that even if our mothers would forget us (rarely)our Heavenly Father would not. What a love! What an assurance! What a God!

    Just dropped by to say hello…I still have your safari hat…Kudos to your ministry and this blog…I saw your name as one of Wade Burleson’s favorite. Hmmm…Birds of the same feather…?

    I’m a fan,
    Kuya Jun Apura

  2. Hi Kuya! I had read your article about the mother-baby relationship. I just want to ask: Is this kind of relationship the same as with father-baby relationship?

    -carmella-

  3. Incidentally, there is a Filipino song entitled “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” and somehow the theme is similar to this scripture.

    Malilimutan ba ng ina
    Ang anak na galing sa kanya
    Sanggol sa kaniyang sinapupunan
    Paano niya matatalikdan

    ..Ngunit, kahit na malimutan
    ng ina ang anak niyang tangan..
    Hindi kita malilimutan
    Kailan ma’y di pababayaan.

    have you heard of this kuya Kevin? Its an old one, Basil Valdez if Im not mistaken..
    wow, its only now i realize those last 2 lines is like “I will never leave you nor forsake you..”

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