Young Adults' Group

Remember The Lord

by Pastor Mark
January 23, 2020

A Blessed and Happy Lunar New Year

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Blessed and Happy Lunar New Year. Every Lunar New Year, there are many things for us to thank God for. We do not in any way want to take these things granted. Let us not forget what the Lord has blessed us with.

The danger of forgetting

The danger of forgetting the Lord and His blessings is very real. Moses warned the people of Israel that when they enter the promised land and are blessed by the Lord with food, houses, wealth and more, they could forget Him.  In what way could the people of Israel forget the Lord?

1. Through not keeping His commandments

Moses warned the people, “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,” (Deut 8:11) They could forget the Lord by not keeping His commandments.

2. Through having a proud heart

“when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt…” (Deut 8:14) Pride could fill their heart and they would forget what God had done for them.

3. Through claiming credit for themselves

“then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” (Deut 8:17) They would claim in their heart that their wealth was gained by their own power and not the power of God.

These were warnings given to Israel concerning how they could forget God and not appreciate the blessings of the Lord.

The challenge to remember

How did Moses seek to prevent the people from forgetting? It is to remember.

1. Remember to fear the Lord by keeping His commandments and walking in His ways

“Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (Deut 8:6)

2. Remember to bless the Lord for His blessings

“When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.” (Deut 8:10) There should be an appreciation of what God would provide for Israel.

3. Remember that it is God’s power who helped gained these blessings

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut 8:18) If Israel were to remember the Lord and what He had done for them as part of His covenant, they would truly learn to be obedient to the Lord’s Word and to fear Him.c

Celebrating our Lunar New Year

As we celebrate the Lunar New Year, whether in having a meal with family or meeting up with relatives, it is so good for us to remember and not forget the blessings of the Lord. We should thank God for our jobs, our daily provisions, our homes, our families and more. Let us learn to acknowledge that it is God whose power was at work in providing all things for us. Let us be challenged to bless His name. Let us seek to fear the Lord by keeping His commandments in the year ahead.

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