Read: Psalm 103:1-2; Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Take care lest you forget the LORD your God. (Deut. 8:11)
The Bible places a strong emphasis on the importance of remembering all that God has done for us. “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God . . . lest . . . your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you . . . out of the house of slavery” (vv. 11-14). How could the people of Israel ever possibly forget the Lord? How could they not remember the events of the exodus? For that matter, how could we ever forget the way God has saved us from bondage to sin and death? Moses explains how that could happen with another warning. When you are surrounded by all the good things life can offer, then “beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power . . . [has] gotten me this wealth’ ” (v. 17).
When we are tempted to take credit ourselves for God’s gifts, it’s good to ask ourselves the apostle Paul’s question, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7). So take care not to forget: it’s all grace, salvation most of all. “All his benefits” will be the psalmist’s theme throughout the rest of Psalm 103. I love the way Henry Francis Lyte’s hymn, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” lists them. As believers we have been “ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven.”
There’s one sure way not to forget his benefits: “Do this in remembrance of me.” As long as we eat the bread and drink the cup, we can’t forget all that the Lord has done for us.
As you pray, remember and thank God for all his benefits.
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including God of My Days,Why Doesn't God Act More Like God,Christ in the Psalms, andA Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
