Posted: 6/07/07
Bible Studies for Life Series for June 17
Remember the Lord is God
• Deuteronomy 8:1-14; 17-18
First Baptist Church, Stanton
Today is Father’s Day. Many of us will remember with fondness our earthly fathers. We can be thankful for their example and seek to give a Christ-like love to our children. Others will have difficulty with the memory of a father who only gave harsh criticism and maybe worse.
Through times of tears and joy we can reflect on how our earthly fathers helped us meet our challenges with love and discipline. I—for one—can say that I am who I am today because of the Christ-like influence of my dad. Dad was more than a provider to me; Dad was someone I could talk to and tell him when I had messed up royally and know he’d always be in my corner to help me straighten out whatever mess I’d made on my own.
Moses tells us that we have a great God who longs to be a loving spiritual Father to us. When we make a royal mess of our own lives, we can take whatever problem, and God will help put the pieces back together. The Lord is God, and he deserves our love and our loyalty.
Moses describes a Father who is all-knowing and all-loving. The truth uncovered in this lesson is that when we are God’s people, we can remember the Lord is God, and we can come to him in our difficult times and our good times.
Do you learn from the Lord’s discipline? (Deuteronomy 8:1-5)
Moses urges the Israelites to recall how the Lord led them during the wilderness years, allowing them to experience severe difficulties while always providing what they needed to survive.
Moses used three examples to illustrate God’s discipline and provision in the wilderness. First, God taught his people to trust in his word to provide for their every need. The manna was a visible reminder of God’s sure word. The second example was the durability of their clothes, which never wore out. God provided for their needs just as he promised. The third example was that their feet did not swell—God was taking care of their physical needs.
Let’s face it, discipline never is fun. When my dad knew I had a spanking coming, he would sometimes let me wait a few days before the big event. I remember it well. Looking back on it now, maybe the waiting was as bad as the punishment itself. I often wanted to run up to Dad and say, “Can’t we please just get this behind us!”
Many years later, I asked Dad about this. He said he never wanted to punish me when he was angry. He also agreed that as I waited out my punishment, I had plenty of time to think about the consequences of my wrongdoing. We can learn from the discipline of the Lord that he loves us and wants us to be in a right relationship with him. He will do whatever it takes to lovingly lead us back to him, even if it means discipline.
Do you trust the Lord’s purposes? (Deuteronomy 8:6-10)
This passage begins and ends with a call to worship. The people were called to do five things: obey God’s commands, live in his ways, reverence him, praise him and give thanks. This is genuine worship put into practice. God provided the gift of a land that was abundant and full—a gracious gift able to provide their every need.
Would God’s people recognize the Lord their God? Would they call upon his name and honor him? Would they realize the land he was providing was a good and plentiful land? Would they know that God had a purpose in bringing this people into this land?
“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you” (v. 10). This verse summarizes our whole lesson. Will we praise the Lord our God for the good things he gives us? A good New Testament verse to reference along with this is James 1:17.
Our family has lived in West Texas more than 20 years. For the last 12 years, we have lived in Stanton. We know what it is like when there are years of drought. One farmer recalled recently that he remembered a time not long ago when we received only 5 inches of rain for the entire year. He said, “I couldn’t even grow a good crop of weeds!”
God has sent to us some wonderful moisture this year. As I write these words, our men are in the fields planting the cotton seed. I’m sure it won’t be long when I’ll hear someone say, “Preacher, we sure need to be praying for rain!” And we do. And once in a while, we ought to gather together to remember to thank the Lord for all he already has given us.
Do you remember your source of success? (Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17-18)
Reading Moses is like driving through a yellow light—“Caution!”
Moses cautioned the Israelites not to forget the Lord when they began to prosper. Moses would remind them again and again:
• Don’t be filled with pride.
• Don’t take the credit—give the glory to God—he is the Lord.
• Don’t allow your new land of plenty to draw you away from God’s purpose.
• Don’t drift from obeying God and serving him passionately.
Discussion questions
• Can you recall a time when you experienced a crisis and God took care of you?
• What are some specific ways you can praise God for the provisions in your own life?
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