Do Not Forget
“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.”
Deuteronomy 6: 10-12
This passage is rich with the goodness of God. It is a reminder that God gives us so many things out of His riches that we have not earned. When we look at what God did for Israel in this passage, we see that His provision for His people was not just adequate, it was lavish.
First it starts with a promise: “When the Lord your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers…” When. That word has so much hope. When God moves… When God provides… When God is just… We don’t have to wonder about any of those things. God always keeps His word. His promises are true. When He says it will happen, it will. We can take so much comfort in that fact. We may not always see those things this side of heaven, but God will always keep His promise.
Next, let's look at how He provides: “A land with large flourishing cities you did not build…” The word flourishing is so beautiful. It means vigorous and healthy growth. How fascinating to think that God allowed the Promise Land to grow in a healthy and vigorous way just for Israel! How beautiful to look at it from that perspective. God may be doing the very same thing for you. If you are in a season of wait, He may just be allowing your “promise land” to flourish in preparation for you.
What is the result of His provision: “When you eat and are satisfied…” To be satisfied is to be pleased with what has been received or experienced. There is no want or desire for more. God provided above and beyond what they could have ever hoped or imagined, and He can do the same for us.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Eph 3:20-21 NIV
God continually gives us good gifts that we do not deserve, and in response, we need to always give Him the glory and not ourselves.
And then there is the warning: “...be careful that you do not forget the Lord…” What an incredible reminder. We cannot forget what God has done for us. When we see Him, experience Him, fulfilling a need, showering blessings and moving on our behalf, our first response should always be to stop and give Him praise. How often is that praise rolling off our lips? Scripture is clear that we are not to forget what God has done for us.
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Psalm 103: 2-5
Think about the last time God did something overwhelmingly good for you. What was your response? Did you forget to thank God? Did you share it with a few friends or shout it from the mountaintops?
One way to see the flourishing gifts of God in your life is to consistently meet with Him in prayer on a daily basis. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing, meaning an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. When you pray, are you praying big prayers for others but not yourself? What about those deep desires of your heart? You should absolutely ask the Big Asks of God.
He is a Father that loves to lavish good gifts on His children. That is not saying that if we ask we will automatically receive, however, just like with any request, when we are rooted in Him, our hearts desires will be in line with His. And when we have those big needs, heavy burdens, those big hopes and dreams that He has planted in our hearts, we should absolutely ask! And how special it is when He does answer! We can be blown away by the goodness of God on a daily basis if we just look.
Spend a few moments today in prayer reflecting on God’s goodness and what blessings He has lavished on you recently. Consider writing a letter to God praising Him for those blessings. Pray consistently for those things deep in your heart and when He does answer, don’t forget to give Him the praise. Keeping a “Prayer and Praise” journal is a great way to constantly be in communication with your Heavenly Father.
“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind, And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.”
Philippians 4:8 The Passion Translation
