Deuteronomy 29:1-29


The children of Israel have seen many things throughout the years that they have been wondering in the desert.  They have seen the power of God setting them free from Egypt and they have seen the power of God providing for and protecting them in their journey.  They have also been exposed to the sins of the other nations that are around them and they have seen the consequences of their idolatry.  God warns the people to pay close attention to these things.  They must not forget God’s blessings and they must not ignore God’s judgment on the nations.  They must protect their hearts from the apathy and idolatry that would lead to their own judgment.  God has made it very clear that He is willing to judge Israel just like He has judged the other nations.  It is a grave mistake to believe that we are somehow exempt from the judgment of God based on the fact that we a part of a certain family.

WE MUST REMEMBER GOD’S PROVISION: There is an old hymn that reminds us of the importance of counting our blessings.  It is wise advice.  We all have the tendency to focus on the problems of the present rather than God’s provision in the past.  This tendency in our lives is often the source of many of our problems because we end up being controlled by worry and fear because of circumstances that are beyond our control.  This reaction breeds dissatisfaction and discontentment in our lives and opens our hearts to all sorts of idolatry.  Gratitude is a vaccine that protects our hearts from idolatry.  God calls His children to constantly remember His provisions so that their hearts will be protected from the terrible consequences of idolatry.

WE MUST RESPECT GOD’S POWER: God also wants His children to live with a great respect for His power and the way that He has judged the nations of the world who have refused to trust and obey Him.  Israel had seen these idolatrous nations fall in front of them and they were now inhabiting the lands of these people.  God warns His children not to become complacent and allow the same idolatry to infect their hearts or they would have a very similar experience.  God is powerful to judge the strongest and most protected nation who refuses to recognize Him.  The blessings of God can often result in complacency and comfort that lead us to sin, idolatry and eventually severe judgment.  We must be very careful to protect ourselves from such a plight.  The fear of the Lord should constantly call out from within our hearts so that we will love the Lord, serve the Lord, obey the Lord and worship the Lord.

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