READING: Deuteronomy 4-7
“Be careful not to forget.”
Deuteronomy 4:23
Let me get straight to the point, as today’s reading is filled with warnings. In fact, note some of them:
- “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live.” (Deut. 4:9)
- “Diligently watch yourselves—because you did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb— so you don’t act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of any figure . . .” (Deut. 4:15-16)
- “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you, and make an idol for yourselves in the shape of anything he has forbidden you.” (Deut. 4:23)
- “Today, recognize and keep in mind that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.” (Deut. 4:39)
- “Be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or the left.” (Deut. 5:32)
- “Be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.” (Deut. 6:12)
- “Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God.” (Deut. 6:14-15)
- “Don’t covet the silver and gold on the images and take it for yourself, or else you will be ensnared by it. . .” (Deut. 7:25)
God was the God of the Hebrews. He had miraculously freed them from Egypt. His power was on display through the ten plagues and the wilderness journeys. He had spoken to them in fire on the mountain, and He had written the commandments on stone. It was right that the Hebrews would ask, “For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is to us whenever we call to him?” (Deut. 4:7). And yet . . . they needed multiple warnings not to forget what God had done. They needed warnings not to turn to false gods. They needed reminders to do all that God commanded them to do.
Apparently, they were a seriously forgetful people. So are we.
ACTION STEPS:
- Take some time to remember God’s blessings in your life. In the words of the old hymn, “Name them one by one.”
- Ask God to strengthen your memory so you don’t forget.
PRAYER: “God, I forget easily. Forgive me, and help me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 8-11
