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…As Americans, we sure have it good. We live in the land of the free and the
brave. We live in the land of opportunity, where one can go from poverty to
riches. By world and historical standards, we are all rich.
…Yet, there is something about trouble, heartbreak, grief, and loss that keep
us close to the Lord. Not that we prefer these things, but they usually keep
us close and dependent upon the Lord. Whereas, prosperity and ease often lead
us to drift away from the Lord,
…The Book of Deuteronomy is the last book of Moses. In it Moses preaches 4
sermons on the Law to the kids who were now about to enter into the prosperity
of God’s promised land. He would not enter, but they would…
TWO CONSIDERATIONS UNFOLDING THE PRINCIPLE THAT PROSPERITY
BRINGS WITH IT THE TEMPTATION TO WANDER.
…For success, ease, and prosperity can cause us to forget the Lord.
I. This
Principle Is Taught To The Israelites Prior To Their Entry Into The Land.
A. Moses
warns the nation that they will be tempted to forget the Lord after they are
prosperous in the land, at rest, and settled in life. (8:6-9)
1.
Moses foretells of
Israel’s coming prosperity.
a. They
had lived in the wilderness for 40 years, totally dependent upon the Lord to
meet their every need in that barren forsaken land.
b. But
soon, they would be at ease, living in a beautiful land of plenty.
…water, wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, a land where “you will lack
nothing.” (v. 9)
2.
This prosperity would
be a huge contrast from their desert existence. (vv 2-3)
B. Moses
spells out the danger inherent in abundant prosperity. (vv 10-18)
1.
The Israelites had
lived in the wilderness for 40 years. There they were humbled by God so they
would trust Him to meet their every need. (manna and water)
2.
He warns them to be very
careful after they have “eaten and are satisfied,” to not forget the Lord
God. (10-11) “When you have fine houses and huge resources…” He tells…be
especially careful to continue to obey the Lord. Don’t grow lax in your
spiritual duties. In other words, keep on trusting Me. Show it by
obeying
God’s Word.
3.
Moses prescribes the
antidote: Make it your habit to fill your days with praise to the Lord, who
has provided all this for you. (v. 10)
…if you fail to praise and thank the Lord, you will drift into forgetting the
Lord. This in time will cause you to worship other gods. (self, money,
pleasure, pagan deities, etc)
C. Moses,
using the strongest possible words, sounds the final warning for God’s people
if they forget Him. (vv 19-20)
…In a word, he tells of the loss, destruction, and death that would happen to
them. Wow!!!!
II. This
Principle Is Sadly Seen In the Lives Of Some Great Men Who Loved God.
A.
Noah is a man who endured
great affliction from his generation. God tells us that he is a “righteous
man.” (Genesis 6:9) He was a preacher of righteousness in an evil day. He
stood for the Lord. He built the ark and lived through the flood. Then the
day of ease came, and he sinned against the Lord. (Gen 9:20…he became
drunk
and exposed himself…)
B. David,
who had lived on the lam for many years, was finally delivered from all his
troubles. God prospered him, with peace from his enemies, and gave great
wealth to him. It was during the days of peace from a world of trials and
troubles that he planned adultery and murder. (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-16)
David, “a man after God’s own heart.”
C. Hezekiah,
a godly king of Judah, had an illness that was soon to take his life. He
cried out to the Lord in prayer for healing. God wonderfully answered by
healing him. (2 Kings 20:1-6, 12-18)
…Hezekiah’s great and miraculous deliverance leads him into carnal pride and
boasting. By this, he forgot the Lord. He failed to give Him praise.
…We are not greater than these men. We must always be on our guard. Be very
careful.
…Our problem is the presence of
indwelling sin.
Trouble seems to keep us looking up.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
Remember: All of life is a gift of God and nothing is possible apart from Him!
2. Make
it your practice to give praise often to God for His blessings.
3. Beware
of the danger found within your heart...it is indwelling sin.
4. You
must especially guard your heart when you are successful, prosperous, or at
your leisure.
5. If you
are not a Christian: God commands all people to repent of sin and believe upon
the Savior.
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