Don't Forget

I keep coming back to a passage lately, Deuteronomy 6:10-12:

When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

See, there are times where we cling to God. Where we call out to Him daily to rescue us. Each day we take moment by moment, praying we’ll make it though and hoping there are no other mountains waiting around the corner that need to be scaled. We all know those times. We’ve all experienced them. They’re our Egypt. And while we don’t like being there, we grow in those times.

Then God moves us. And at times the blessings almost seem too much. Land of milk and honey. Blessings we’ve done nothing to achieve, He’s simply given them to us. That’s the nature of a blessing. You don’t have to work for it, you just get to receive it. It’s a gift. And we serve a God who loves to bless us.

The problem with being in a land you didn’t have to work for is you tend to forget where you came from. The days you couldn’t breath without the presence of God next to you. And slowly you think you’re the one who got you there. Here’s where God’s warning comes in. Read that passage again and think about you’re life as you do. Are you scaling a mountain right now? If so, remember this passage when you’ve come to the top. Or maybe you’re living the good life right now. Then ask yourself, have you forgotten that God is the one who delivered you there?

So what do we do? Lucky for us God’s got that covered. In fact, before He even cautioned us not to forget where we came from, He tells us what to do. Check out Deuteronomy 5: 5-9. It may be familiar to you, but do you do it?

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Impressing something leaves a mark. Talking helps you remember. Tying or binding them to you means letting them become a part of you--weave them through your character and your core. And writing them on your door frames? Make His commandments such a tangible part of your home that you cannot leave your house without them following you into the world.

So today, if you’re walking through land that is dry and cracked and feel like you can’t take another step, stop and impress this moment on your heart and how God is carrying you. Take a mental shot and remember it when life flourishes around you again--because it will. And if you’re living in the land of blessing, stop a moment and look around you. Then look up. Don’t forget the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt. Rely on Him today. Thank Him. Love Him with all your heart, mind and soul.

Whatever you do, don’t forget.

***this was a repost from 2011