Don’t Forget the Lord Your God

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large, and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deuteronomy 8: 11 – 14

How easy it is not to think of God when everything in our lives is going well and we don’t feel as if we need Him. We don’t pray as much, think about His presence very often, and if we do attend church, it can easily just become routine, and we really don’t feel the need to praise Him or seek His love and grace.

This verse reminds us of the story of the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. After being brought out of slavery and wandering through the wilderness for 40 years, living in tents and harsh shelters, depending on God for their food – manna that fell from heaven each day – they were finally permitted to enter their new land. As they do so, God strictly warns them, that even though they will lack for nothing, they must not forget Him and His protection, the provisions He has given them, and His loving care through the years. But forget Him they did.

How easy it is to do so when things are going well, or in times of abundant blessings or wealth. He becomes irrelevant, no longer needed. We gradually allow Him less and less involvement in our lives. We don’t necessarily reject Him; we tend to forget all about Him. We become proud and think we have done it all ourselves. We even convince ourselves that we can get along just fine without Him.

But how can we ever forget the One who made it all possible, who is responsible for giving us the blessings we have? The One we will cry out to when difficulties arise? The One who is always there waiting for our return? He is the One who gives us life, and we should honor Him and give Him praise each and everyday. We must not forget Him, His commands, His goodness to us, and the promise of His saving grace for all eternity.

 Prayer

Our most gracious God, who rejoices with us in our good times and mourns with us in times of despair, help us to never turn away from you. Thank you for loving us even when we don’t deserve it. May our hearts be filled with love and praise for you always. Amen.