Repenting of Forgetfulness

“The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!” (Psalm 9:17–20, ESV)

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

Heavenly Father, we are living in a country that is increasingly forgetting You. The entire “Western World” works diligently to force you out of their memory. It’s hard to watch because we know the result. Those who forget you, Father—who turn away from you, will find themselves with the wicked in hell. 

Father, I ask you to imprint this truth on my heart. I want this to continually walk with me for my own sake. I am constantly tempted to forget you and join the wicked. Keep me from falling into this temptation. Keep me from forgetting You and Your goodness and Your mercy…and Your wrath.  Hold on to me, Father. 

Father, I also want this imprinted on my heart as a motivation to reach a lost world. Every day I walk amongst people who have forgotten you and are walking toward hell. Stir my heart to this truth, Father! Grant me pity for them, but also grant me courage to bring them the gospel. It is only the gospel that can save them. So, send me out into the world with the gospel and open my mouth with the good news. 

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Father, in the midst of my continual temptation to forget you, I am so grateful for your promise that you will never forget me. Even when I am surrounded by trial and despair, you are there. When I feel all alone, you have not forgotten me. You are here, right beside me. 

Father, that gives me hope—a hope that will never fade or perish. It doesn’t matter what I’m going through—or how deep I’m in the pit—I know you are there with me and you will never forget me and will never leave me nor forsake me. That’s my hope which will never perish, because You will never perish and You will never leave me. So, I keep on in this hope. 

Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!

Father, I ask you to continually remind me of Spurgeon’s words: “Prayers are the believer’s weapons of war. When the battle is too hard for us, we call in our great ally, who, as it were, lies in ambush until faith gives the signal by crying out, ‘Arise, O Lord.’” (Treasury of David, 1.101). 

Father, I easily forget this truth. I easily try to use my own weapons to save myself—my strength, my influence, my intellect—yet they all fail me. Remind me that Prayer is my true weapon that brings you into the fight on my behalf. Keep my eyes on you, Father, and my prayers always before You. 

Father, I long for the day when you will let the nations know they are only humans—created beings. They continually prop themselves as God. Yet, I know a day is coming when you will put them in their place. You will come again and establish your kingdom—a kingdom that will cover the earth and will have no end. I long for the day when I can see that kingdom. So, come, Lord Jesus.