Thursday, May 7, 2015

MEMORIAL STONES

'Remember the Lord your God: for it is He who gives you the power to create wealth...' Deuteronomy 8:18

Yesterday I was searching for some articles about God working behind the scenes when I was strongly impressed upon this article which mentioned a passage in Joshua 4:5-6. This passage in Joshua prompted the writer to think of three words. First, createGod wants us to go to the trouble of establishing historic markers. Notice it was said, “Go to the trouble.” Creating legacy reminders is not easy. These were big stones. They needed to be chosen, hauled, stacked, and then maintained as a lasting reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Second, rememberGod cares about our remembering Him and what He has done. Our human nature is so prone to forget what God has said or done. We forget what God has done for us so quickly, especially after we are happily settled in the Promised Land. Number three, impartGod cares that our children remember Him and what He has done. It’s the home where life makes up its mind, where life underscores its etchings. God is deeply concerned that the next generation learns about Him. That happens best through us. 

The Lord has been emphasizing this message to me since end March and repeating it now. He talked about how one tends to forget it is Him who brought them into the promised land, the large place, the lush environment. Indeed there are certain dangers hidden in the plenty that one may not recognise. These temptations would be different from those in the wilderness. Very different. It would not be brokenness, heartaches, disappointments and depression. In fact it would be the opposite. It could be feelings of sufficiency, contentment, false peace and false security. 

That is why God had to repeatedly remind me to remember it was Him who brought me to this place of fulfilment and to always give thanks. Have a grateful heart. He said after this long-awaited promise manifest, I must not forget about the Lord for it was Him who brought this promise to pass. I should give Him all the glory and boast in the Lord, to testify to what He has done for me. One of the most dangerous foes in the land of plenty is forgetfulness in all He has done for us and where we came from which often leads to a place of self-sufficiency. 

It was no wonder the Lord had to write an entire book on Deuteronomy which means the second law, after the law was first given in Exodus. The purpose of this book was to remind the Israelites again before entering into their Promised Land. He knew we were short on memory on such things so He took the pains to tell us to beware when we come into the land of milk and honey. Oh Lord, help me always remember it is You who multiplies our numbers and gave us the power to create wealth! 


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