Remember and Pass it on

"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons." -Deuteronomy 4.9

Moses has given encouragement to live obediently to God and live according to His statutes. This lifestyle will bring the presence of God, and will stand out in the world of pagan nations. But this task is not done lightly, and in fact it is only because of the presence of God that it is even possible.

Here, in verse 9, Moses uses strong words. Heed means "to give careful attention to" and diligent is "constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything". He tells them to focus on their lives, and to constantly guard their souls so that they do not forget all that God has done. The reminder of God's faithfulness inspires obedience to Him in the future. Remembering how He has come through reminds us that He is trustworthy. Knowing how greatly He has blessed and provided in the past assures us that He will come through again, if we remain faithful.

And it is not simply for themselves, they are to pass it on to their children, and grandchildren. The stories of God's faithfulness are intended to be passed down. I believe this is part of the reason God has given us the Bible, it recounts the great deeds He performed for His people. At the same time, God's best days are not behind Him. The power displayed in Egypt and the wilderness, was not a one time thing. The stories passed down tell of what God has done, and shows what He is able to do.

Men, are you diligent over your soul? Do you take heed of your life? God has done great things in your life, you may not realize it until it's hindsight, but that makes hindsight such a wonderful gift. Don't allow yourself to forget about what God has done. If need be write them down, but always speak of them often. Make sure your children and grandchildren (literal and spiritual) know how God has been at work in your life. Let them see the faithfulness of God.

As we pass on the stories of the past it is crucial that we don't live there. Again, God's best days are not behind Him. The great things He has done in the past were simply the beginning. He will come through in greater ways and display greater power if we remain obedient to Him.

This is not prosperity gospel preaching, this is a testament of God's faithfulness and power. His best days were not thousands of years ago in the wilderness of the Middle East. If they were, is He really a God worth following? God's best days are yet to come, and we will see the restoration of all things, and then who knows what greatness eternity will bring.

Let us remember and retell all that God has done. May we never forget. May we never fail to pass it on.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor