“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely
so that
you do not forget the things your eyes have seen
or let them slip from your heart
as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Watch yourselves,” the scripture says. A call to self-awareness. The passage carries a serious tone, a warning to be careful. This is weighty stuff that highlights a sobering reality.
Moses was reminding the people to not forget all they had witnessed. You and I were not there on the banks of the Red Sea. We didn’t see it miraculously open to provide a way through as Pharaoh’s army closed in … but we have seen God provide. We see His work in creation. We behold His provision in His Word. We know He is working in our lives now as He did then.
All this must be treasured up in our hearts. And what is in our hearts overflows into our lives.
What happens as we think on it, marvel about it, sing it out, and live it out? We remember, and others learn. Specifically, the next generation—our children—must hear and learn. We must teach them about God! Our stories must be told.
The danger does not seem to be that we will consciously kick out the truth or reject the truth, but that we just drift from it … wander away. Become distracted. Allow the statutes of God to slip from our hearts.
Have we individually and corporately forgotten about all God has done?
Has the “wow” of your faith disappeared?
Is the proverbial honeymoon with God over?
Wake up!
If you find yourself stuck in a spiritual rut, then put it in reverse: go back, remember, ask God to reignite your faith. And then tell it. Proclaim the truth to others. Teach the next generation about our glorious God and all He has done in your life.
God, forgive our forgetfulness.
Stir up our hearts to never get over wonder of the Gospel.
We want to always be wowed by Your truth, Your love, and Your provision.
Holy Spirit, draw us back when we drift. Woo us back when we wander. Direct our hearts and minds when we become distracted.
Keep us ever in that sweet spot of knowing we are safe and secure from sin’s grip, fully known and fully loved.
And give us courage and conviction, as You compel and equip us to tell and to teach others—especially our children.
O God, You are great and You are good!
Our Write the WORD bookmark for August showcases the word TEACH – perfect as we launch a new school year and think about passing on our faith to the next generation. You can download your copy here. And before you say, “I’m not a teacher,” please check out our video introducing this month’s bookmark (link below) and consider how your life teaches others (and should teach others) about Jesus.
