Remember Not to Forget

Maria I. MorganBlog Archive, Understanding God's Plan

Remember Not to Forget


I love the thought of a fresh start. A new beginning. A blank slate with all kinds of possibilities. There’s just something about a new year that fills me with anticipation.

I’ve been reading through the book of Deuteronomy and was recently reminded of the importance of seeking God and His wisdom for every new beginning.

Whether we're entering a new year, a new decade of life, or just a new day - God's Word contains exactly what we need.

Click to tweet

A new chapter


Remember the children of Israel? Deuteronomy opens at the end of 40 long years of wandering. The people who had disobeyed the Lord’s command to enter Canaan four decades earlier are now dead. Their children stand poised on the edge of the Promised Land, to begin a brand new chapter of their lives.

Moses didn’t mince words. He took time to remind them of past mistakes, in hopes they wouldn’t repeat them:

21. Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come . . .

25. And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the Lord our God doth give us. Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God:
Deuteronomy 1:21-22; 25-26

Principles for success


Moses loved these people. Even though he wouldn’t be living in Canaan, he laid out everything the Lord told him so they might be successful and thrive in the land.

The same four general principles Moses shared with the children of Israel apply to you and me today.

Click to tweet


Put/keep the Lord first:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5Deuteronomy 6:5

Obey His commands:

Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.Deuteronomy 5:32

Live so that our family & others see Him:

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?Deuteronomy 4:6-7

Don't forget:

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. 11 Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day.Deuteronomy 8:10-11

With a brand new year under way, we have a decision to make. If we take these principles to heart and put them into practice, it just may be our best year yet.

Your turn


Have you allowed the Lord to guide your goals for 2017? What step will you take to put today’s 4 principles into practice?

Can I pray for you?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love. Your Word gives me clear direction and principles to follow so I can have a fantastic year. Help me seek Your wisdom for every decision I make today. When I keep You first, obey Your Word and live it out, and remember all You've done for me - I can know the thrill of pleasing You. Let it be so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Leave a comment on my wall if this post helped you

Share this post with your friends