We should never forget where we came from and who we were before the Lord saved us. As I was reading through Deuteronomy today, that’s the theme that stood out to me. I’m going to go over those verses and one other that I feel needs to be talked about.
The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Deuteronomy 7:7 (NIV)
When I read this verse, I’m reminded of something Jesus said about how difficult it is for the rich to enter into Heaven (cf. Matthew 19:24). When people think they have it all: health, wealth, power, and fame, they’re not as likely to see themselves in need of salvation as someone who has little or nothing. If people don’t know the Lord, then they think it was their hands that produced their blessings.
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV)
People who know the Lord aren’t much different when they forget where they came from. I think the problem starts as soon as we stop giving glory to God. As soon as we stop giving the glory to God for all that we are and for everything that we have in our lives, we become proud in our hearts. We would be wise to heed this warning from Deuteronomy.
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Deuteronomy 8:12-14 (NIV)
Along with material wealth is the danger of thinking we deserve all of the blessings God gives to us. When we forget who we once were we might start to see ourselves as righteous in our eyes, thinking we are better than everyone else.
It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 9:5 (NIV)
Without Jesus, we are nothing, and without his mercy and grace, we’d all be wallowing in a pit of our sin, destined for destruction. When we see people around us who don’t know the Lord, our desire should be for them to know him because of what he did in our lives. Not just because they’re “sinners” (cf. Romans 3:23). There, but for the grace of God…
Childless People
Infertility is one of the most painful issues to deal with in a marriage. As people, we are so prone to point the finger of blame at whomever we deem to be responsible for our pain. This does nothing to help a marriage. As Christians, we turn to God’s word as a refuge in all times. When we read about barren people in the Bible, it’s always a woman who is barren and unable to have children. However, the state of infertility isn’t confined to just women. Men too can be unable to have children, and if you’re wondering if the Bible says anything about this, then you no longer have to because the Lord brings it up here in Deuteronomy.
Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
Deuteronomy 7:14 (KJV)
We are not unaware of the devil’s schemes, and one of those is to turn husbands and wives against each other.
I hope you found something today that blesses you in some special way. Thanks for stopping by!
Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.
Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Four-Calendar Café 
Greetings,
I have to ask you to reread this statement you made, because it does not make sense within the paragraph, and I have reread this a few times and still nothing. The message is convoluted;
“When we see people around us who don’t know the Lord, our desire should be for them to know him because of what he did in our lives. Not because they’re “sinners.” There, but for the grace of God…”
As this statement stands I have to say you are in error. I agree we can share what the Lord has done in our lives as a testimony to His Mercy, Grace, and God given faith towards us.
However, we do need to inform them they are Sinners, that is why they need to hear about the Blood of Jesus which shall wash away their sins, once they have believed by the Power of God.
So I do think you got your thoughts jumbled while typing…..you may desire to “edit” to make it scripturaly sound.
Lord bless you…..
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Thank you, brother.
God bless you.
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Do you agree, or was I “mis-understanding” your stance as written.
It would be nice to know if I erred or not.
Thank you.
Lord bless you.
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I updated the post for clarification which I wouldn’t have otherwise done without your comment. I don’t see an error on your part given the context.
God bless you!
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Sometimes a person may think that it si because of sin that they cannot conceive children due to something that may have happened to one of their relatives that got passed down to them, but that isn’t the case. Sometimes it is not meant for a child to be born until a certain time in someones life. Just like Sara and Abraham, they were past childbearing, but Abraham had a child with Hagar, and then years later he and Sara had Isaac, so when men and women think that they can’t have children, maybe the time is not right. There is a time, and a season for everything under the sun. We are never to forget where God brought us from, that is very disrespectful. Every blessing God gives to us, we may not deserve, but because of His mercy and grace, He gives us the desires of our hearts, but we must always know that we did nothing of ourselves, everything comes from God, even the very breath we breathe, and that is something that is a gift, without it we could not live. We cannot take anything for granted that God gives us because we are here one minute, and gone the next. Life is a gift that is always taken for granted, but we must realize that God is the giver of all life and everything His hands made, including ourselves, we are not even our own. We do not belong to ourselves, we belong to Him. Before we were saved, we were sinners on our way to a devils hell with no redemtion befre Jesus came and laid down His life for us. We are to thank God for the sacrifice that He made by sending His Son into this world to die for our sinful selves, bu there are still some who just do not realize that though. Thank you for sharing this with us. It has blessed me to think about all of the things that Jesus has done for all of us. God bless you, and stay safe.
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