Thursday, September 10, 2015
Deuteronomy 6:10-12 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you--a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
SUNDAY HOLIDAY
God didn't just give the Israelites victory in battle as they moved on toward the Promised Land. In Joshua, chapter 24, we're told that God also sent hornets ahead of the Israelites to drive the Amorites out of the land. As a result, when the Israelites arrived, it was like an all-inclusive resort. Everything was ready for them to move in.
But when times are good, people forget all that happened to make them good. That's what Moses was warning the people about here. One day they were going to stumble into a new and beautiful land. And while they might be thankful to God right away, that thankfulness would fade if they didn't take care. They would forget all that Yahweh (Jehovah) had done for them.
When we gather to worship on Sunday, let it be for a holiday. Let it be to look back, and to remember all that the LORD has done for us.
As Christians living in the New Testament period we have a distinct advantage over Old Testament followers--we know how the LORD's plan played out. We know what God's Son did on the cross. We know that when He gave Himself over to suffering and death, Jesus set the world of sinners free, and rescued us from the eternal chains of hell.
That's why we ought to gather together on Sunday. To remember all that God has done for us. To re-center ourselves on the grace of Christ. And to prepare our hearts to serve the God who saved us.
