Easter Devotional - Day 12
"Don't forget that you were once slaves in Egypt and that it was Yahweh who set you free. … When you become successful, don't say, 'I'm rich and I've earned it all myself.' Instead, remember that Yahweh your God gives you the strength to make a living. That's how he keeps the promise he made to your ancestors." Deuteronomy 8:14, 17-18
How could anyone forget they had once been a slave? It might seem a little disingenuous to think that someone could forget something of that nature. Moses' words, however, were targeted to a new generation. Those who had actually been slaves were dying out, and the younger generation with only vague memories of slavery was Moses' audience. The next generation only had stories of their grandparents' day. Moses himself was nearing death. He was talking to the next generation and those who would follow. He was pointing to the years ahead when the Egyptian experience was a vague memory of ancestor who lived no more.
"When you become successful," he said, "don't forget that you owe the very opportunity to the fact of God's deliverance of your ancestors." The rights and privileges of a freed generation exist in large part due to what those before have built. Our success, as some have stated, is the result of standing on the shoulders of giants. Moses put it differently. Our success is due to what God has done for us. It may not be easy to forget we were once slaves.
It is very easy, however, to swallow the mantra of our society that tells us that success is due to one's own initiative and drive. We are the masters of our own fate, we are told. We live in the land of opportunity for those who will mold their lives after their desires for advancement, wealth, and achievement. We fail to state the obvious that not all who work hard, study hard, and apply themselves will be able to define their lives according to their dreams of success. Our place in life is not completely in our hands. Some rise to the top by accidents of chance or birth. Others fail by the same tokens. Regardless, we hear and recite the mantra again as if stating it once more will make it true.
Moses would remind us that even in our efforts to get ahead, to become rich, to prosper, to be free of debt and financial need, we are dependent on more than our own strength, determination, and the ability to succeed. We are dependent upon the very life and breath God has granted. We are dependent upon the very context into which God has allowed us to be born.
At the point of wealth, achievement, and prominence is where we are most tempted to believe we have achieved due to our own designs, strength, and initiative. Here, however, is where we are to be held under the greatest accountability to God's action in enabling our success. We are to recognize that all of life is a trust of stewardship and responsibility toward God who has brought us to this place in life and time.
All we have is not what we have earned. It is not what we have accomplished on our own effort. It is what God has enabled us to receive. Should we forget the trust—forget that we were once slaves—we become slaves once again, this time to the delusions of our pride and self-importance.
Take stock of where God has placed you and your dependence upon God's provision.
"Lord, remind me that all I have and am is yours. Use my all as a faithful steward."
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin
http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/
How could anyone forget they had once been a slave? It might seem a little disingenuous to think that someone could forget something of that nature. Moses' words, however, were targeted to a new generation. Those who had actually been slaves were dying out, and the younger generation with only vague memories of slavery was Moses' audience. The next generation only had stories of their grandparents' day. Moses himself was nearing death. He was talking to the next generation and those who would follow. He was pointing to the years ahead when the Egyptian experience was a vague memory of ancestor who lived no more.
"When you become successful," he said, "don't forget that you owe the very opportunity to the fact of God's deliverance of your ancestors." The rights and privileges of a freed generation exist in large part due to what those before have built. Our success, as some have stated, is the result of standing on the shoulders of giants. Moses put it differently. Our success is due to what God has done for us. It may not be easy to forget we were once slaves.
It is very easy, however, to swallow the mantra of our society that tells us that success is due to one's own initiative and drive. We are the masters of our own fate, we are told. We live in the land of opportunity for those who will mold their lives after their desires for advancement, wealth, and achievement. We fail to state the obvious that not all who work hard, study hard, and apply themselves will be able to define their lives according to their dreams of success. Our place in life is not completely in our hands. Some rise to the top by accidents of chance or birth. Others fail by the same tokens. Regardless, we hear and recite the mantra again as if stating it once more will make it true.
Moses would remind us that even in our efforts to get ahead, to become rich, to prosper, to be free of debt and financial need, we are dependent on more than our own strength, determination, and the ability to succeed. We are dependent upon the very life and breath God has granted. We are dependent upon the very context into which God has allowed us to be born.
At the point of wealth, achievement, and prominence is where we are most tempted to believe we have achieved due to our own designs, strength, and initiative. Here, however, is where we are to be held under the greatest accountability to God's action in enabling our success. We are to recognize that all of life is a trust of stewardship and responsibility toward God who has brought us to this place in life and time.
All we have is not what we have earned. It is not what we have accomplished on our own effort. It is what God has enabled us to receive. Should we forget the trust—forget that we were once slaves—we become slaves once again, this time to the delusions of our pride and self-importance.
Take stock of where God has placed you and your dependence upon God's provision.
"Lord, remind me that all I have and am is yours. Use my all as a faithful steward."
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin
http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/
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