Love That Never Fails

31. Remember the Lord

As we continue our journey through these strange times, it's easy to slip into a rhythm of life where church is a distant memory, having been replaced with watching a service online or occasionally joining a Zoom prayer group. We can easily get caught up in our own problems as we navigate the new world, forgetting some key things. For a time, life can still go along okay, but eventually cracks will begin to appear!

Moses had many important things to pass onto God's special people, but these words of wisdom he imparted before he died, highlight some very important points that will be helpful for us right now in 2020:

"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time."
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭4:39-40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It's very easy for other things to take the place of God in our lives. Perhaps you are working harder to make ends meet and searching for answers as you look for a way ahead. Perhaps you find yourself obsessively reading the opinions of others or watching the news. Thanks to social media and 24 hour news online, we can tend to run to information rather than running to God who is the greatest authority!

We need to open our Bibles before we open that webpage! Moses reminded the people of the very important commandments God had given them and stresses the importance of them as part of their everyday lives. While we don't live under the law in the same way the Israelites did, Jesus certainly echoed this commandment and spoke consistently about them all:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:4-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can get very comfortable, feeling self sufficient as we gather groceries from the supermarket and feed our families. Pride can quickly enter our thinking, causing us to forget that all that we have comes from God!

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today."
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8:10-14, 18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Take time to remember all that God has given you, even if these times have caused loss of income. Be grateful and praise God for what you do have. Know that as you put Him first, He is able and willing to supply all your needs and more!

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

I praise You and thank You for all You have given me! Thank You for Your Word that helps me to put things in perspective. I confess that often I get caught up in other things and don't put You first or love You as I should. Thank You for forgiving me and always being willing to listen when I cry out to You.

It's so good to know that You will provide for all my needs at this time. I look forward to seeing how You will continue to help me navigate my way through these challenging times. I am determined to remember You always and love You with all my heart, soul and strength.

Amen.