Fear Of Being Forgotten

"Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? 

Even should she forget, I will never forget you." 

(Isaiah 49: 15)

It is sad to think about the billions of people who have died since the genesis of mankind and who have been forgotten. Myriads have died and no one even knows that they lived, or where they died, or anything about them. 

Many people, including atheists and secular persons, have angst over the idea that they will perhaps be forgotten. They may not believe in immortality and eternal life as the bible teaches, but they strive for immortality in other ways. They do it by putting forth works of art, scientific invention, and monuments and other memorials to their name. They do it to be remembered by later generations and in this sense "live on." Authors and poets may be immortalized by their books or other writings. So Abel, son of Adam and Eve, and brother of Cain (who killed Abel), has these words said of him by the apostle Paul in the first century, centuries after Abel - "by it (Abel's sacrificial offering to God and his faith) "he (Abel) being dead yet speaks." (Hebrews 11: 4) Further, people generally want to live on after death in the hearts of their children and grandchildren. But, after so many generations, remote ancestors are rarely spoken of. They are soon forgotten. 

But, there are other ways some people seek to be "immortalized" that are not noble and good, such as becoming famous, or rather infamous, for some great crime. They want to be in the headlines, their names mentioned in the ages to come.  

The fear of being forgotten is called athazagoraphobia. It is fear of oblivion. Two Psychiatrists wrote the work titled "Death anxiety in psychiatry and society: Facing our fears and embracing life" (see here) and said (emphasis mine):

"The fear of being forgotten after death can also drive many to pursue a legacy. Even a parent choosing to have children and teaching them values and belief systems is a way of leaving behind a mark on the world. For some, finding ways for being remembered after death – whether through fame, fortune, or having children, is a way of dealing with death anxiety...cultures may relieve the anxiety of death by suggesting that one’s descendants will still care for the departed, and their legacy may remain." 

Here is the best way, biblically, to obtain a lasting legacy and remembrance:

"A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance." (Psa. 112: 5-6 nkjv)

The two texts at the heading of this posting affirm the same thing. We will ever be remembered and never forgotten of the Lord. Not only will he not forget us, but he will not forget our labors for him and the people of God. 

"Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Rev. 14: 13 nkjv)

God will forever remember our labors for him during the span of our lives. His reward is great too. 

The word "memorial" is used frequently in the old testament scriptures. These memorials were for the purpose of remembrance and to preserve a memory. We find also these two interesting texts from the new testament.

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mark 14: 9 nkjv)

“Your (Cornelius) prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God." (Acts 10: 4 nkjv)

All our good works done in the name of Christ will never be forgotten. And, of course, to not forget our labors for Christ is not to forget us. As the Lord said through Isaiah to his primitive people - "I will not forget you." So we read that - 

"And God remembered Noah" (Gen. 8: 1).

"God remembered Abraham" (Gen. 19: 29).

"And God remembered Rachel" (Gen. 30: 22).

Being remembered by the Lord means deliverance. Notice these texts:

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies." (Num. 10: 9 nkjv)

"Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever; And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever." (Psa. 136: 23-24 nkjv)

Believer, you and your works done in Christ's name and for his glory will never be forgotten.