When Things Are Going Well

O. T. #388  "When Things Are Going Well"
October 17, 2014
Deuteronomy 8
but thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.  Deuteronomy 8:18

LET IT GLOW

Are things going with you? Things are going well with us. We have money coming in, a nice house, sufficient food and clothing, needed medicines, loving family, sweet friends, and a caring church. Yes, sir, we are doing well. Wait a minute.
In reality, it is God who has provided our everything so things are going well.  We have the strength, money, knowledge, and blessings which are all gifts from God. I don't want to forget it, either. I thank Him for life and breath, food, clothes and shoes, electricity, clean and hot water, appliances, food, our house, doctors and medicines, and all the people in our lives. Included should be God's grace and mercy new every morning, everlasting love, salvation unmerited, His Word and Spirit for which I am grateful. How often am I? What about Israel?

God's goodness is about to be experienced by Israel whenever they settle down in their Promised Land. God was going to give them:

• a good land with plenty of water-brooks, fountains, deep springs out of valleys and hills;    (verse 7)
• good fertility of the land producing wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey; ( verse 8)
• mineral prosperity of iron and brass (copper); (verse 9)
• a land where bread will not be scarce and they would lack nothing. (verse 9)

It must have made the Lord happy to provide these wonderful things for His children. All He wanted in return was their love, devotion, worship, obedience to His commands, and recognition of His providing it all. Was that too much to ask?  I think not.


LET IT GROW

Previously we read of the warning concerning the enemies of Israel and their idol worship. God's instructions were to destroy them. Now we see another threat which Israel will encounter in the Promised Land-pride.

When does the attitude of self-satisfaction comes slithering into town, causing their heart to become proud and they forget the LORD their God ?
We find the answer in verse 12:

• When the people have eaten and are full, 
•  built fine houses, 
•  herds grew numerous, 
•  silver and gold increased,
•  and they say their own power and strength of their hands produced their wealth.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament explains:

Is this sin not with us today? Often when times are hard and we have to depend on God for our daily needs, we remember Him and obey Him. But when "things are going well," and we have more than we need, we become self-sufficient and forget God. "It is He who gives you power to get wealth" is a statement we all need to remember. Sometimes God has to chasten us to remind us who is in control of the wealth of this world. 

Prosperity, self-satisfaction, and pride can be a silent enemy lurking around us. If we aren't careful, we will surrender to them unbeknownst to us. Our Sovereign God is in control of the wealth of this world and we would be well off to remember it. Develop a grateful heart. Our Father is pleased when we thank Him for things.
Do we? Are we? Will we? When?

LET IT GO

Don't be self-sufficient or proud.

Have a grateful heart.

Give thanks to God throughout the day for all the things He provides.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul.