YOU WILL SURELY PERISH IF. . . !

September 20, 2013

YOU WILL SURELY PERISH IF. . . !

Deuteronomy 8:11-20

Kate Gilpin

Central Truth

"We have rebelled against God. We have lost the true spirit of Christianity, though we retain the outward profession and form of it." -- Samuel Langdon, President of Harvard College (May 1775)

"It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 8:19-20)

11 Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. 20 Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.

My favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. Aside from the hotdogs and fireworks, there's something so joyful about celebrating our country. And the more I study our nation's history, the more meaningful the holiday becomes.

"It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because he comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures." -- Christopher Columbus

In Deuteronomy 8, God is preparing to establish the nation of Israel in the land He provides. But, knowing the heart of man, He gives strong warnings. He advises Israel to remember and obey Him, or suffer annihilation. It seems evident that the Lord not only establishes nations, but also cares deeply that they honor Him. Similar to the future generations of Israelites noted in Deuteronomy 8, I'm a generation living in an abundant land. History reveals that many of our nation's forefathers pursued obedience to God, and I believe I'm reaping the abundance that is a result of them not forgetting Him.

But do we, as an abundant nation blessed by God, heed Deuteronomy 8 today? Do we remember the Lord? When I read this passage I'm deeply distressed that our nation is cultivating the same self-importance that God warned Israel against. If the Lord has similar standards for nations today as in the past, then the success or failure of our nation lies in our obedience to Him.

At times I'm greatly discouraged by the rebellious trajectory of our nation, but then I'm reminded that the faith and obedience of His people can change the course of history. "And [if] My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

1. How many faithful men does it take for the Lord to work in a nation? (e.g., Exodus 32, Genesis 18:16-33)

2. Nearly all school curriculums today have been scrubbed of previously present biblical influence, leaving our history awkwardly devoid of God. Do you know the spiritual history of America? (Reference materials: The Light and the Glory by P. Marshall and D. Manuel, Original Intent or A Spiritual Heritage by D. Barton. See more at www.wallbuilders.com)

3. Are you participating in the decisions that our nation is making? Are you encouraging your friends and families to participate? (e.g., www.aclj.org or www.heritagealliance.com for Voter Guides, Prayer Calendars, etc.)

4. What does it mean to cultivate a heart of gratitude towards God? What practices do you currently establish in your home to encourage a heart of thankfulness? What new practices can you and your family establish?