Do not forget!

Deut. 6:11c-12
I am never surprised when a non-believer fails to acknowledge God. I am never shocked when they eat without praying, and never do I gasp in horror (sarcasm implied) when I hear of someone refusing to say "Under God" during the pledge of allegiance. This is easy to understand and Paul explained it quite simply when he wrote to the Corinthian believers "The man without the spirit does not accept the things that come from the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14)." However, as believes, we have received the spirit from God that we may have understanding (1 Corinthians 2:12). We have experienced His great love, and have witnessed His wonders in our lives, and throughout creation. It's hard to believe that anyone who has experienced the love and mercy of God could ever forget the wonders He has shown them. How is it possible to enter into such a personal and intimate relationship with the creator and sustainer of all created things and fail to remember Him with every breath? It is beyond comprehension and yet far too often we become complacent in our walk with God. We eat, drink, and satisfy the desires of your hearts, then forget. Moses warned the Israelites of this very issue just before they were to cross the Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land: "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 (Deut. 6:11c-12)." The Israelites entire culture was centered on memorials; daily reminders of the Lord who had delivered them from the land of slavery, and how to live before the Holy God. Shortly after, Moses reminded the Israelites about God's wonders and laws (Deut. 8:1-20; 26:16-19; 28:1-14). Again, after crossing the Jordan Joshua had a leader from each of the 12 tribes take a stone from the Jordan and piled them up as a reminder of God wonders. Before Joshua died he reminded the Israelites what the Lord had done, and they rededicated themselves to God (Joshua 23-24:27). Joshua then placed a large stone under an oak tree as a reminder (Joshua 24:27). Before the Israelites moved back into the holy city (after the rebuilding of the walls by Nehemiah) Ezra shared with them the laws of God. Then reminded them of everything that the Lord had done for them, and they rededicated themselves to God. Before Samuel left as Israel's leader (and reaffirmed Saul as King) he reminded all of Israel what the Lord had done. Reminders, upon reminders and yet the Psalmist still declared "They did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by His law. They forgot what He had done, the wonders he had shown them (Psalm 78:10-11)." Do not let this Psalm be true for you. If need be, pile up your memorial stones, tie tassels to your garments, rededicate your life this day, every day, to the Lord God who has delivered you from the land of slavery (Romans 6:17-18), and remember daily your father in heaven.  [mp]

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Michael D'Urbano
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