Israel’s future success hinged on their response to past blessing.
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Scripture
Deuteronomy 8:17-19
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.”
Observation
The nation of Israel was enjoying immense blessing from God. He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and was leading them to a place of blessing and stability in the promised land. Now Moses was warning them that their reaction to the prior blessings of God could cost them the future blessings of God, could cost them the future blessings of God if they didn’t keep their heart right. If they began to reflect back and imagine that the prior blessings were a result of their own greatness, they would find themselves in a condition that God was unable to bless. Their future success hinged on their response to past blessing.
Application
And Stanley once said, ‘The greatest enemy of our future success, is our past success.’ This principle seems to be echoed in this passage from Deuteronomy. What a sad thing, to lose out on future blessings from God, because of a wrong reaction to past blessings from him!
To avoid this outcome in my life, I must take time to understand the reasons and causes of past success in my life. I must daily choose to keep my heart postured rightly toward God. I must daily acknowledge him as my source and supply, and give him glory–knowing that he has greater things in store for me, if I keep my heart submitted to the Lord of all.
Prayer
God, thank you for your blessings in my life! I don’t deserve your goodness, but I’m so thankful for it! Help me to keep my heart right before you, and daily give you glory as the giver of every good and perfect gift. Help me to never sacrifice your future blessings in my life, by responding wrongly to past blessings you’ve given me. All that I have is from you!
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