Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:10-12 ESV
[10] “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, [11] and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, [12] then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Observation:
Moses is addressing the Hebrew people with a warning, and honestly, it’s very appropriate. After all, he had seen and heard from them. He spent the last several years dealing with the issue presented through complaining, lack of trust, disobedience, and many other things. Yet the LORD still had in mind to bless them. Let’s look at what the scripture says. Moses wants to remind the Israelites of the promises that were made generations before them, yet they were going to benefit from them. Any time in the scripture that you see the phrase… the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. GOD is telling us that HE is a generational GOD. HIS promises surpass the test of time. The other repeated phrase. That you did not. Moses said it over and over houses you did not build, vineyards you did not plant, and so on. This was his way of saying GOD is blessing you. Don’t blow it. We should probably take notice of the end of verse 11 and the beginning of verse 12, and when you have eaten and are full, then take care lest you forget the LORD your GOD who brought you out of slavery.
Application:
This is not the first time I have been at this point in my life. In fact, it’s been more than once, and just to stay completely honest. I have messed it up many times. What I have noticed about it is. When life is hard and things are not going our way, it’s easy to turn to GOD and ask for help. Having been at the lowest of bottoms. I have turned to HIM in times of desperation. Only to find that that’s when HE answered. However, what GOD wants from us is an intimate relationship. HE wants to hear from us… all the time. Not just when we need HIM. My point is this… it’s easy to turn to GOD when we need HIM, and once things start going our way, forget how we got there. Here is how I have seen GOD deal with this in my life. I know HE wants to hear from me, and if I forget HIM after HE blesses me, HE will remind me that it was not me that got me to where I am. So listen, this is my warning. If the only time GOD hears from you is when you are in hard times, be prepared to face hard times regularly. HE wants to hear from you in GOD times and bad. Remember, HE made you naked. Not one of us was born with clothes on. HE knows exactly how HE created you warts and all. HE knows our tendency to forget HIM once things in our lives get good. It’s important to remember how we got to where we are. Whether it be in a good place or a bad place, the odds are if you are in a bad place… GOD is calling you out by name. Saying, turn your eyes upon ME, and if you are in a good place, HE is saying DO NOT FORGET how you got there. My point is if we stay mindful of the LORD even in times of blessing, we will probably face a lot less hard time. All GOD wants is your attention. HE is a jealous GOD. One more thing, and then we will close in prayer. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on water… when the Israelites kept their eyes on the bronze serpent, they would live. Let’s keep our eyes on the LORD in good and in bad. Odds are if we do that, even our bad days will be better knowing HE is with us.
Prayer:
Father, we just want to thank you. We know that you brought us out of Egypt. Without you, we would still be slaves to our sins. You broke the chains. Let us always remember that and never submit to the yoke of slavery again. Help us to be mindful of you at all times, counting it joy in trials and remembering that it’s you who delivers us from them. Help us to learn anything. We must learn the easy way. We realize that when life hurts, it’s because we have forgotten our first love because when we are mindful of you, even our hard times are opportunities to learn. We love you with all our hearts. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.