One Of The most Neglected Aspects….

I think one of the most neglected aspects of the Christian walk is our lack of gratitude when we are full. I think it’s an omissive sin, but it’s still something we tend to do without realizing it. It’s probably one the Holy Spirit prays for us about. When Paul talks about the Holy Spirit groaning for us, in ways we can’t comprehend, it may include this kind of omissive sin. How often after a good meal, when we’ve eaten our fill, do we thank God for providing it? I know I don’t. How about when we return from a great vacation, and we are exhausted and want to crash, do we thank God for it, for the chance to get away from the “daily grind”, getting to experience new things, being refreshed? How about every single time our teenager comes home late at night from a weekend day escapade, do we thank God? Gratitude is an attitude that needs to be conditioned in our lives. Without it, it robs us of the joy we could be experiencing. Praise God when you are full, you owe it to Him for being so good to you.

10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey His commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the One who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant He confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:10-20