FORGETTING
"Yet did not the
chief butler remember Joseph, but forget him" Gen. 40:23
There once was a quaint
and forceful preacher, Thomas Champness in England, who read this chapter as a Lesson. Through
the reading he made no comment, but as he finished this verse he closed his
Bible, and said: "And his name isn't always Butler!" It was an
unconventional, humorous, almost startling remark, but it left an impression
upon all who heard which will never depart. It has helped me often to remember. This
forgetfulness on the part of this man cost Joseph two more years of prison. It
is perfectly true that he was safe in the will of God, and quietly preserved
for the hour when he would be needed to be the deliverer; but that does not
excuse the butler. How true the words which we have often quoted are: "Evil
is wrought by want of thought, As well as want of heart!"
We bear no malice; we really desire to help; but we forget.
Our own good fortune drives out of mind the evil fortunes of those whom we
would serve, and sometimes those to whom we have pledged our word. It is wholly
wrong. To forget may be as evil in its effects upon others as the doing of some
positive harm to them. Good intentions and sincere promises are of no value
until they are carried out, fulfilled. There are many things we have done today.
Have we forgotten something?
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