Money is not always the only consideration. Out here we place emphasis upon the basic virtues, and I have noticed that the more organized our lives become the less attention we pay to such things as courage and loyalty.”
–Louis L’Amour (North to the Rails)
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
–Joshua 1:6 (NKJV)
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Why, oh why, do we so soon forget? We ask God’s forgiveness which He so gracious gives, then we sin again. He provides for us in many ways, but we praise Him for a few minutes then continue on our way soon forgetting. Why? We look at the majesty of God in nature and get inspired, but as soon as we’re back in the rat-race of humanity, career, and society those thoughts are dimmed. John I. Durham said this, “The wonders of God yet excite men but temporarily; and God is too soon forgotten in man’s fascination with himself.”
Psalm 78 deals with the miraculous saving power of God yet also relates how He is soon forgotten and man goes his own way.
56 — Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies,
57 — But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58 — For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.
59 — When God heard this, He was furious, and greatly abhorred Israel,
60 — So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had placed among men,
61 — And delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy’s hand.
62 — He also gave His people over to the sword, and was furious with His inheritance.
63 — The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage.
64 — Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.
65 — Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.
66 — And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 — Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 — But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.
69 — And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever.
70 — He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 — From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
72 — So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (NKJV)
One of the reasons we are told to remember the past is that we do not forget the wondrous works of God in our lives. We are to remember the times that He delivered us from one thing or another. Those who forget are to face His fury.
Israel, after seeing all the miracles and even though they moved into the Promised Land, continued to provoke God. It seems that it was easy to forget, that is why we “must engage in the discipline of remembering.” (George O. Wood) The people were enjoying life, the were enjoying the blessings that were provided and had forgotten God and the proper means of worship. In times of plenty, God was placed aside and worship was given in the way the people desired, not in the way God had instructed.
Then a man appeared, a hero if you will–David. David rallied the people. David brought them back to true worship. David shepherded them with skillful hands and with integrity. But alas, the people forgot, and they were led into captivity. They failed to remember. But then another man appeared, a hero if you will–Jesus. He broke the chains of sin, and offered the people a chance of eternal life. Now the choice is ours. We can grumble, complain, rebel and not turn to Him, or we can go to Him and place our lives in His skillful hands. Don’t fight God’s plans for you, but follow them.
“Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.”
–William O. Cushing
—————————————–
Why, oh why, do we so soon forget? We ask God’s forgiveness which He so gracious gives, then we sin again. He provides for us in many ways, but we praise Him for a few minutes then continue on our way soon forgetting. Why? We look at the majesty of God in nature and get inspired, but as soon as we’re back in the rat-race of humanity, career, and society those thoughts are dimmed. John I. Durham said this, “The wonders of God yet excite men but temporarily; and God is too soon forgotten in man’s fascination with himself.”
Psalm 78 deals with the miraculous saving power of God yet also relates how He is soon forgotten and man goes his own way.
56 — Yet they tested and provoked the Most High God, and did not keep His testimonies,
57 — But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers; they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
58 — For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, and moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.
59 — When God heard this, He was furious, and greatly abhorred Israel,
60 — So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had placed among men,
61 — And delivered His strength into captivity, and His glory into the enemy’s hand.
62 — He also gave His people over to the sword, and was furious with His inheritance.
63 — The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage.
64 — Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.
65 — Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.
66 — And He beat back His enemies; He put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 — Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,
68 — But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.
69 — And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever.
70 — He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds;
71 — From following the ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance.
72 — So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. (NKJV)
One of the reasons we are told to remember the past is that we do not forget the wondrous works of God in our lives. We are to remember the times that He delivered us from one thing or another. Those who forget are to face His fury.
Israel, after seeing all the miracles and even though they moved into the Promised Land, continued to provoke God. It seems that it was easy to forget, that is why we “must engage in the discipline of remembering.” (George O. Wood) The people were enjoying life, the were enjoying the blessings that were provided and had forgotten God and the proper means of worship. In times of plenty, God was placed aside and worship was given in the way the people desired, not in the way God had instructed.
Then a man appeared, a hero if you will–David. David rallied the people. David brought them back to true worship. David shepherded them with skillful hands and with integrity. But alas, the people forgot, and they were led into captivity. They failed to remember. But then another man appeared, a hero if you will–Jesus. He broke the chains of sin, and offered the people a chance of eternal life. Now the choice is ours. We can grumble, complain, rebel and not turn to Him, or we can go to Him and place our lives in His skillful hands. Don’t fight God’s plans for you, but follow them.
“Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.”
–William O. Cushing