Remember

God is teaching me so much. The overarching theme right now is remembering and finding contentment in Him. He used this passage from one of my favorite chapters to catch my attention:

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down... 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. ~Deut. 8:10-12,14

During their time wandering through the desert, the Israelites were not content. The LORD had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, was journeying with them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and He was leading them to a good land. And yet, they complained. They grumbled. They cried out in despair, begging God to let them return to Egypt of all places. But here in Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people to REMEMBER. Remember the pit that God had brought them out of, remember how He was journeying with them and providing food and water, remember His promise of where He was leading them.

How often do we (I), like the Israelites, FORGET God's faithfulness? We forget how far He has brought us... rescuing us from sin and death, giving us new life, and ever-transforming us into the image of His Son. We forget the blessings of the present... the way He is guiding us, teaching us, loving us, showering us with grace. And we forget His promise... a promise of a good land, a promise of hope, a promise that He will complete the good work He began in us, a promise that He will never leave or forsake. Always journeying with us, always using us for His glory. Always a purpose, always with Him. All is a gift. Grace beyond imagination.

When the Israelites complained about not having food, God sent them manna from heaven. This food they had never seen before they named, literally, "What is it?" As the Israelites had to gather the mystery and trust that God's provision would continue, so we must accept His gifts and respond in faith, content with the gifts He gives. Always remembering, always trusting, always giving thanks.

Ann Voskamp reflects on the Israelites' attitude in Numbers 21:4-9...

Father, we repent of our grumbling, our complaining, of all the stuff we wail that we can no longer stomach. We've been bitten by the snake of discontent. Cause our eyes to look on Jesus and live. With Jesus, we have more, more, than enough.... When the serpent of discontent bites, choose to look at Jesus who hung on the tree to give us everything we need. He is our life.

As Isaiah reminds us...

Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands. Always in My mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins. ~ Isaiah 49:15-16

We are called to remember, to NOT forget... for we serve a God who does not forget us. He sees our suffering, He rescues us (not just once, but everyday), He journeys with us and lights the way, and He is leading us to a good land. Along the way He gives good gifts: strength, wisdom, joy, peace, community. He calls and equips and sustains. So let us (me) choose to remember, to trust, to follow Him wholeheartedly, to be content resting in His loving arms. He's a good Father.