Sermon Central
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Forgotten But Not Abandoned
Contributed by Gerry Takaria on Nov 18, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Job, Joseph, and Daniel were faithful men who faced silence from God in their hardest times. Job lost everything, Joseph was forgotten, and Daniel was exiled and thrown into a lions’ den. Even when God seemed absent, their stories remind us that His silence never means His absence.
INTRODUCTION:
One of the most powerful true stories in church history about a seemingly “silent” God who nonetheless cares for His people can be found in the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and Christian pastor during the Nazi era.
The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived in a dark time when the Nazis gained power in Germany and many churches were subservient to Nazi ideology. Bonhoeffer became one of the leaders of the church movement that opposed the Nazis and refused to compromise with evil. He spoke out for truth despite knowing the consequences could be dire.
As persecution intensified, Bonhoeffer faced arrest and eventual imprisonment by Hitler's regime. During his long imprisonment, he often experienced silence—not only the physical sense of isolation but also a spiritual silence where he felt his prayers were unanswered and God seemed distant. Bonhoeffer wrote candid letters from prison about his despair and doubt, but also about his deep hope that God was still working behind the scenes.
Ultimately, Bonhoeffer was executed just weeks before the end of World War II. Those who knew him testified that he remained faithful to God even in the darkest of times. His church, his family, and his writings attest to the truth of Bonhoeffer's words: "God does not free us from suffering but enters into suffering with us."
BODY
Theological theme: God may allow His people to feel forgotten, but He never releases them from His care. His sovereignty works even in the midst of silence, and His faithfulness does not depend on outward circumstances.
Introduction There was a time when inner loneliness made humans feel forgotten, especially by God. However, mature faith is not measured by the presence of outward miracles but by the conviction of God's unseen presence. In the Bible, three outstanding figures—Job, Joseph, and Daniel—experienced a period of outward "forgetfulness" but were spiritually preserved by God's grace.
1. Job—Perspective on Suffering: God is Not Lost, He is Testing Faith
Supporting text: Job 23:8–10
Job is a depiction of a righteous man who lost everything without a clear explanation. He sought God in the east and west but did not find Him. However, in the midst of suffering, Job held onto his faith: "He knows my way of life."
Theological aspect: In the theology of suffering, Job demonstrates that God's silence is not His absence, but rather a test of faith. Allah remains present as the Heart Examiner who purifies faith through the fire of suffering. Allah owes no explanation, but He grants encounters that change perception.
Practical applications:
• True faith is tested not by prosperity, but by loss.
• When prayer feels unanswered, trust that God is working on spiritual maturity.
• Suffering becomes the place where faith is cleansed of personal motivations toward pure worship.
2. Joseph—A Perspective of Waiting: God is Not Late, He is Orchestrating a Plan
Supporting Text: Genesis 40:14, 41:46–52
Joseph experienced betrayal, imprisonment, and being forgotten by the royal cupbearer. Two years is not a short time to wait. However, God's plan unfolds in silence. Human time is delay; God's time is preparation.
Theological aspect: Joseph illustrates God's providence, which unites personal suffering with a broader plan of salvation. Allah not only saved Joseph but also nations through his life. God's faithfulness is most evident behind seemingly unjust delays.
Practical applications:
• When life seems stagnant, remember that God is arranging a mosaic for the sake of the future.
• Don't measure God's faithfulness by the speed of His answers, but by the perfection of His timing.
• Patience in the prison of life opens the way for future rulership.
3. Daniel – Perspective of Faithfulness: God is Not Silent; He Accompanies in Captivity
Supporting Text: Daniel 6:10–23
Daniel lived in exile. Humanly speaking, he might feel forgotten by his people and abandoned by God in the midst of a pagan empire. However, Daniel understood that God's presence is not limited by location or political systems.
Theological aspect: Daniel demonstrates the theology of God's presence (Immanuel) that transcends the structures of worldly power. Daniel's faithfulness in a foreign land is proof that God's kingdom does not depend on the promised land but rather on the faithfulness of the people wherever they may be. Allah is present even in the lion's den.
Practical applications:
• Loyalty to God is not situational but faith in His presence.
• In an era of moral compromise, steadfast faith becomes a testimony that silences the powers of the world.
• God works within seemingly oppressive structures to reveal His glory.
Conclusion:
Job, Joseph, and Daniel demonstrate three dimensions of God's faithfulness. From suffering and waiting to exile, God never abandoned His people. These three figures call us to believe that God is sovereign over time, situations, and places.
When you feel forgotten, trust this: God's hand is still working, His promises still stand, and His love never ceases.
