March 10th, 2022

When You Walk into Your Promised Land

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 NIV

"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 you are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery."

      Just before Moses' death, he spoke to the Israelites about many important ideas that they would need to know about before going into the land the Lord had promised them. He reminded the people in his speech that was recorded in chapter six, that though they were about to enter into the long-awaited promised land, they were unworthy of the gifts that they would be receiving. Because they were unworthy, Moses emphasized that it would be crucial for them to remember that they did not earn these great things, but God had granted them to his people out of his covenant formed on the basis of love and compassion towards the fathers of our faith. The promised land was long anticipated because they knew that after years of suffering and lack, they would finally be in a land of abundance and peace.

      How often in life do we go through tough times, fervently praying for God to turn things around, and just after we walk into our land of abundance, we forget who even brought us there in the first place? Or better yet, give our own selves the credit for overcoming our battles in our own power. Moses didn't just give this speech to serve as a reminder to the Israelites to praise the Lord for all he's done, but as a reminder to us, God's children, to praise him in all situations as well. We must never get so cozy in our land-flowing-with-milk-and-honey that we forget, not only who it was who brought us there, but who provided us with the gifts that come along with it. I encourage you today, to take a step back and see where it is in your life that you can humble yourself enough to praise the Lord for what he has done for you and take the light off of what you think you've done in your own power. Just as the Israelites were unworthy of the gifts God gave to them, we too are unworthy of the blessings we've received over the years.

Are you so comfortable in your promised land that you've forgotten God who brought you there? What can you do today to bring praise to his name for all he has brought you through?