“Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God… Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and thou forget the LORD thy God” (Deut.8:11-14). It seems that America, the church, and Christianity in fullness has also forgotten God. This is a generation of big headaches and heartburns needing Alka-Seltzer, MOM, Tums, and aspirins. “Americans annually consume 16,000 tons of aspirins” (encyclopedia.com/aspirin). “Americans annually spend more than $10 billion for indigestion and acid reflux” (cancercenter.com/reflux). We have become full and forgetful. America Beware! In fullness, Israel forgot God. “They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; And forgat his works, and his wonders…” (Psa. 78:10-11). They forgot their history and heritage. Israel entered Egypt with 70 people (Ex.1:5) but exited with men of war numbering 603,550 (size of Nashville) (Ex. 38:26), with wives and children (4X600,000) at least 2.4+ million (size of Chicago).
In fullness, they forgot that Egyptian army was behind them and the Red sea before them. There was no escape. They forgot God, but God remembered them and parted the waters (Ex.14:41). In fullness they forgot… the fall of the wall (Joshua 6:20), the fire by night and the cloud by day, how the Lord led and fed them, morning manna and evening quail, rivers of water from a rock; Most of all they forgot how faithfully God daily provided for them for 14,400 days (360days X40yrs). The mass multitude of millions daily needed 4,000+ tons of food and about 11 million gallons of water. In fullness they forgot God and saw giants – not God, garlic – not grapes, leeks – not the Lord. They murmured and moaned (Num. 14:1).
Note: Unthankfulness is the first step from God. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful” (Rom 1:21). Unthinkful becomes Unthankful. Amazing! They forgot God, but God did not forget them. “But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away… For he remembered that they were but flesh” (Psa 78:39).
This Thanksgiving, Think then Thank! Let’s remember what great things the Lord has done for us. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psa.103:2). This Thanksgiving, “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God… Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and thou forget the LORD thy God” In fullness, don’t forget God! Why? Abundance can cause amnesia.
