FEBRUARY 1, 2010

LEST WE FORGET

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:10-11

"They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them"

( emphasis added )

I enjoy deer hunting. During my recent archery season, the weather had been warm until a cold front caused the temperature to drop significantly. I knew I needed to wear warmer clothes to withstand the cold.

One of the most important requirements for deer hunting in our state is to properly display a legal hunting license on the back of one's coat. In my haste to get to the woods, I forgot to change my license from one coat to another. I didn't realize my mistake until I returned home hours later. A sick feeling washed over me when I imagined meeting the game warden. His first question would have been, "Where's your hunting license?"

Psalm 106:13-15 says, "They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" ( emphasis added ). Israel had a bad memory. So quickly they forgot God's goodness to them. Their forgetfulness was the first step toward spiritual poverty.

Forgetting my hunting license is minor compared to forgetting what God has done for us. How gracious and good He is to us each day! His greatest blessing is our salvation--and that's only the beginning. He has given us health and strength, food and clothing, a home, family and friends, a church, the Bible, prayer--and the list is endless. You'd think we would never forget, but we do. And each time we forget, we take a dangerous step toward spiritual poverty. The answer is to live in a constant spirit of gratitude and to praise God for who He is and for all He has done for us.

DO THIS NOW: With your family, make a list of great things God has done for you that you never want to forget.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 14-17