Comfort, Distraction and Forgetfulness
There's a repeated refrain in Deuteronomy: Moses is worried that the comfort and distraction of the Promised Land will cause the Israelites to forget their need of God.
It's a valid concern...
When trouble comes and we are brought down to basics and need God's strength and grace on a daily basis, our hearts remain true and devoted. When deliverance and abundance comes, we experience a period of immense gratitude, but often we don't formalise, ritualise. memorialise or institutionalise our thankfulness and so we "get over it" and "move on".
In our passage today, Moses reminds the Israelites that they will receive cities, houses, wells and vineyards that they did not build, fill, dig or plant. Life is not a right, it is a gift. He's concerned that once they eat and are satisfied, they will forget that God rescued them from slavery.
During the pandemic we re-appreciated so many things that were taken for granted and pushed to the background. But now the pace is picking up and the proverbial "bright lights" are shining again. How will we resist the siren song of the rat race its seductive adrenaline rush?
We have to choose "not to forget the Lord who brought us out of slavery".
Take some time and reflect:
- How did He bring you out of the brokenness of sin and self-driven living?
- How did He carry you through the pandemic?
- How do you remind yourself to see life as a gift and not as right?
- How will you make sure you remember the Lord your Deliverer?
Unfortunately, all of Moses' fears came true: Israel fell into the comfort trap and forgot the Lord.
For us thoughtful and reflection and action steps on the four reflection questions above will help a lot to avoid Israel's pitfall...
For us thoughtful and reflection and action steps on the four reflection questions above will help a lot to avoid Israel's pitfall...
| 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. |
