Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Self-control”
Our Bible verse for today: “Be careful you don’t forget the Lord your God by failing to keep His command – the ordinances and statutes – I am giving you today.” Deuteronomy 8:11 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Don’t get spiritually lazy”
The Old Testament book of Deuteronomy was intended by Moses to be his final words to the people of Israel. He was about to die, and they were about to go forward into the Promised Land. So in Deuteronomy Moses summarized the essential instructions they would need to remember in order to live in a way that honored God.
The Old Testament Law of Moses contained a lot of detail that applied only to them in their day and not to us in our day. But in Deuteronomy Moses also issued several important general spiritual truths that do apply to us, and which we would do well to pay attention to.
In Deuteronomy 8:1-18 Moses warned the people that they had better not let the good life in the Promised Land cause them to get spiritually lazy. He reminded them that when they were wandering in the wilderness and were faced with frightening enemies and hard times, they relied heavily on God. But once they were in the Promised Land and they had comfortable homes, and steady incomes, and plenty to eat, and life was good, they would be tempted to ease-up on their spiritual disciplines and not pay as much attention to God.
Moses warned them that if they did that, God would eventually withdraw the blessings in order to draw them back to Himself. If the only time they would be faithful and attentive to God was when they were in suffering and in great need, then God would keep them in suffering and in great need. His point was that “If you can’t enjoy your blessings and be faithful to God at the same time, God will withdraw your blessings”.
Ouch! Anybody out there feeling convicted? How many of us, when life is hard and we’re in great need, rush to church and plead with God for deliverance? How many promises are made in the middle of suffering but then when things change, and the problems are resolved and life gets better for us again, we start to get spiritually lazy?
This is not uncommon. When a person is struggling with difficult life issues it’s not uncommon to see them right there in the front row at church, Sunday after Sunday after Sunday, paying attention and taking notes. But once the storm passes and life is good again they get lazy and become less faithful. It’s as if since they’re not hurting now, they feel they don’t need God as much.
The lesson Moses taught to the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 8:10-18 is an important spiritual truth that applies to all of God’s people in all places at all times. If you can’t enjoy your blessings and remain faithful to God at the same time, God will withdraw the blessings. If that’s what it takes to bring you back to full and passionate seeking of Him, then that’s what He’ll do.
When times are hard, seeking after God with passion is easy – we’re naturally drawn to Him in such times. It’s when times are good that we have to exercise the self-control to be diligent in the spiritual disciplines.
Don’t put God in the position where He has to withdraw His blessings in order to get your attention.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 