Beware Lest You Forget
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:17,18 ESV
Moses continues to prepare a generation that is to inherit the promise land by sounding some strong and persistent warnings. They were to be on guard against some things, because they would be tempted to forget about the Lord’s provision, the Lord’s faithfulness and the Lord’s purpose for their lives.
They were to remember the testing in the wilderness. “And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV)
In the midst of all their needs, the Lord provided manna for them to eat. He supernaturally made sure their clothes and sandals didn’t wear out or their feet swell.
“…he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word[ that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.” (Deuteronomy 8:3,4 ESV)
They were to take care and remember that their provisions came from the Lord and because of following Him. It was not through their own abilities, or wisdom and cunning.
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes…and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:11,13-14;17-18 ESV)
Finally, they were to be on guard and remember to follow only the Lord and not the gods of the land they were inhabiting. The nations they were conquering were receiving the judgment of the Lord and the same would fall on God’s people if they followed the same path.
“…if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish…” (Deuteronomy 8:19 ESV)
In our lives we need a focused, persistent faith and keeps us moving in the right direction, keeping our eyes on the Lord and fulfilling His purpose for our lives.
Prayer for today…. Lord help us to remember and not forget how you provide for us and give to use all that we need and Your Word that guides our life. Help us to be those who daily make the decision to follow You and to please You and to commit our lives to Your work.