This was the collective feeling of Israel during the long and painful years of the Babylonian exile of the sixth century B.C. In a striking maternal image, Isaiah gives God’s response. He appealed to the deepest and most basic emotional bond that exists — that of a mother for her child. He asked rhetorically if a mother can forget her nursing child or fail to show compassion on the child of her womb. The expected answer was “of course not.” God went even further by reassuring Israel that even if a mother did, and that occasionally happens, God would not forget. In biblical terms, for God to remember someone meant that God cherished, blessed and saved them. Israel was so deeply embedded in God’s heart that they were never in danger of losing God’s love — even when their collective behaviour may have warranted it. This is emphasized on numerous occasions in the New Testament — immediately Romans 8 comes to mind — but people find it difficult to believe.
The word that is often used in the Old Testament to describe God’s nature is hesed and it is usually translated as faithful love. In their heart of hearts, many people live in perpetual anxiety and dread, certain that some misstep or sin is going to cut them off from God forever. We do not — despite protestations to the contrary — really believe in the unwavering and unconditional love of God. If we did, we would not live in fear and selfishness, and we would not feel the need to scapegoat or project our own darkness on others. What passes for love between humans is so fickle and distorted by personal issues and has so many strings attached. God is so unlike us in everything, even in the way that God loves. Jesus explicitly encouraged us to seek to imitate God’s love if we really want to be recognized as God’s children.
Paul spoke of mysteries, especially the profound mystery of the human heart. We are often unaware of our own motivations, desires and fears. If this is the case, we do not dare to judge other people. Jesus warned against this for the simple reason that we are incapable of doing so and we judge through the skewed lens of our own brokenness and fear. Paul went a step further — we should not even judge ourselves. Judgment is God’s job, and eventually Jesus will uncover all that is hidden, especially what is buried deep within us. In the meantime, we should go about the business of living our lives in and for Christ.
The idyllic images of the birds of the air and lilies of the field are beautiful but they have a dreamy and almost unrealistic quality. Live for today — don’t worry about food, shelter and clothing? Weary folks who struggle to make ends meet can be forgiven a cynical chuckle. They would be correct in their insistence that bills have to be paid and families provided for — never mind the birds and lilies. But it is important to follow the text carefully: Jesus was talking of worrying about those things. Worry never does anything constructive and certainly doesn’t solve problems. Worry and stress are the bane of modern living and are destructive of our health and inner peace. People have to do what is necessary in the way of work and effort but not apart from trust in the loving providence and care of God reflected in the passage from Isaiah. The most important thing in the world is our relationship with God and walking in His ways. If we do that first, the other things will work out. Fear and dread of things that may or may not happen — and usually don’t — can make life miserable and burdensome.
The Gospel passage has some excellent counsel: don’t borrow trouble — deal with what is on your plate today. There is more than enough to keep you busy today — deal with tomorrow when it comes. The more we walk in faith and trust, the more open we are to God’s grace working on our behalf. We are never forgotten, for each of us matters infinitely to God.