The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 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."
Here is a concern Moses warned Israel against. As the Israelites might enjoy all of the myriad of blessings awaiting them in the promised land, in the midst of their satisfaction of them, they just might forget the One who provided them!
The amazement of it is that it is the very Lord they might forget in their contentment and satisfaction his blessings bring! The people of our nation come to mind here...
I am reminded of a plea made in Proverbs 30:8-9, "... give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'"
Here is where those loftier responses of gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness for the blessings the Lord provides are so important. A grateful heart that never forgets who brings those many blessings is certainly fitting and appropriate.
Paul's admonition provides the remedy, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
"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."
Here is a concern Moses warned Israel against. As the Israelites might enjoy all of the myriad of blessings awaiting them in the promised land, in the midst of their satisfaction of them, they just might forget the One who provided them!
The amazement of it is that it is the very Lord they might forget in their contentment and satisfaction his blessings bring! The people of our nation come to mind here...
I am reminded of a plea made in Proverbs 30:8-9, "... give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?'"
Here is where those loftier responses of gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness for the blessings the Lord provides are so important. A grateful heart that never forgets who brings those many blessings is certainly fitting and appropriate.
Paul's admonition provides the remedy, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
All we need do is list all the Lord has done for us and follow Paul's direction!
What might be on your list?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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