Scripture:
Deuteronomy 6:10-13 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. [13] It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve, and by his name, you shall swear.
Observation:
When I was looking up this scripture, I saw the words ” lest you forget all through the book of Deuteronomy. This led me to believe it was a regular problem for the Israelites. As Moses was about to lead them into the promised land, he stood there, reminding them that the promised land had nothing to do with what they had done. It was about promises that GOD had made. Looking over all the good things that were in the land… homes, crops, cisterns, buildings, and so on that were not built by their hands. Moses felt it nessesrey to say that once you come into the land, don’t forget that this had nothing to do with you and what you did. GOD was fulfilling HIS promises to your fathers Aberham Isaac and Jacob. He made it clear that their hands did not build dig or shape one thing of the land they were about to enter, and that was something that should not be forgotten.
Application:
It’s easy to get a little bit of road behind us and think we did something. Forgetting all about how we got where we are. We might even have a cheerleading team saying things like “Man, you have changed so much.” But let’s not forget how we honestly got here. I don’t know about anyone else, but it all started with a cry of desperation for me. I didn’t know how to live, nor did I know if I really wanted to. I was in slavery to sin and didn’t know how to stop. Life was not what I thought it should be. A desperate cry to GOD changed all that. HE reached down from heaven and pulled me out of the muck that I had settled into as life. Slowly cleaning all the garbage out of my life. Putting me back together. My life changed. HE started building and shaping me. Placing me where I am today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I have arrived. But what I am saying is I know I didn’t do it. GOD will fulfill HIS promises. My job is to remember who did it. Keeping my mind and heart steadfast on HIM. You see, it’s easy to look back and see the progress that has been made and think you have done something getting puffed up with pride, and begin think you have this under control. Giving credit to the one who actually did the work might be a little more difficult. Especially when HE can not be physically seen. Let us always remember this has nothing to do with us. Keep our focus on HIM and make sure we acknowledge HIM for the great things HE has done. My life is not my own it has been bought with a price. The credit is not mine. HE died on the cross so that I could have the promises of the father.
Prayer:
Father, this life that you have built is amazing. We never want to forget that we are where we are because you help us to keep our eyes on you. It’s only than that we can walk on waker. That it has nothing to do with our ability. It’s all about our willingness to be used by you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.