When Abundance Happens

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NLT

Abundance is about to happen for the people of Israel. They are being given by God a land that has been cultivated and developed. It is full of resources and opportunities. What a contrast to decades in the wilderness.

There is a real danger that comes with this gift of abundance. The people forget God, and His provision in place of prideful self-reliance and confidence as a people, and as a nation.

Reflection

God is giving very specific guidance to the people of Israel. This guidance is easily applied to anyone following God in the midst of unprecedented abundance.

Encouragement

God is directing us to love Him with everything we have. He knows of our tendency to forget Him and become confident in our own ways and other avenues of devotion and spiritual pursuit. God wants us to talk about Him, encourage each other always, and give written and visual reminders in any way we can. Conversations about God, and our devotions to Him, are the stuff of family conversations and prayer. Stay focused on God in times of abundance.

Prayer

Dear God,
Receive Your words personalized for our context today. “Listen, followers of my Son, Jesus Christ! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NLT (The first line of scripture is edited for purposes of this prayer)

Today, Father God, I declare my commitment and devotion to You! Any abundance granted me is from You. It is not of my own making. Lest I get caught up believing I am the one providing all these amazing opportunities in life and forget or marginalize You along the way. May I stay wholly devoted to You and Your ways.

In the strong name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

-Ed McDowell, CEO
Warm Beach Camp Ministries