Wednesday, November 27, 2024
When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give you—a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build, houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:10-12
God led the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The next generation would actually claim the promised land that God had promised their ancestors – a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build, houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant. God gave them this beautiful and abundant land. In this blessing God had for Israel, there was also the danger that they would forget the LORD who brought them out of the land of Egypt.
…and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
Like the Israelites we too have been delivered from so much, including slavery – slavery to our sins. Some of us have been delivered from more, such as drug or alcohol addiction, abuse, financial devastation, illness, and much more. We often run to God when we are in a crisis. We cling to Him, seek Him, pray a lot, tithe, and study His word looking for comfort and answers. But when the trials are past and times are good, we tend to forget the Lord who delivered us and brought us out from the place of slavery. God wanted to remind the Israelites not to forget the Lord that brought them out of Egypt. When they entered the land flowing with milk and honey things would be good. The same is true for us.
When there are no adverse circumstances compelling the remembrance of God,
“We are no sooner grown rich, but we are apt to utter that ugly word,
This I may thank myself for.” (Trapp)
Oddly enough, trials can also cause us to forget the goodness of God and all He has done for us in our lives. In the midst of adversity, we are blinded to the goodness of God because we only look at what is happening in the moment that is causing us pain. When we are walking through a trial or hard times, we have to make ourselves get out of bed, eat, go to work, do all the normal things we need to do but are so hard to do at the time. The same is true with our obedience to God. In our trials we need to remember God’s provision and protection in our lives instead of only focusing on the trial. We need to be obedient to Him in every way, in every area of our lives, in good times and in hard times.
Our blessings come from sources that are beyond our own industry and skill; they are the fruits of the holy inventiveness of God, and the splendor and fullness of his thoughtfulness towards his poor children. Let us not forget him, since evidently, he never forgets us. (Spurgeon)
In the midst of God’s provision and protection in your life, have you forgotten the Lord? If so, will you return to Him and commit every area of your life, including your finances, for His glory and work in the world? Pray and ask Him what He is calling you to do regarding your giving so that you might be more faithful in your relationship with Him.
When you have been successful have you forgotten the Lord? Have you been faithful with finances and tithing for His glory? Have you enjoyed the promised land, flowing with milk and honey, and did you remember how you got there? Don’t forget how you truly need the Lord and to be obedient in every season. He is faithful to us in every season. He never forsakes us and He never changes. We need to be faithful – and obedient - in every season as well.
