Remember by Bryan Craig

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.  Deuteronomy 8:2

I don’t know if you have had the privilege of walking with the Lord for at least 40 years.  I gave my life to Christ at 13, so I have had 45 years with Jesus.  There is an advantage to that, for my eyes have seen quite a bit.  The other day, in my God-seeking time, I came across Deuteronomy 8.  This is part of the dissertation that Moses gave after coming down from the mountain of God when he was given the 10 Commandments. As I meditated upon God’s words to the Israelites, I thought of my own faith journey.

…And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

For the first 17 years of my “Christian life” I never read the Bible.  I honestly thought it was just reference material you might bring with you to church.  So, I lived a life of self-sufficiency, even though I was starving spiritually.  God took care of me and watched over me in my sinful ignorance and allowed my hunger to grow until I finally realized He was the only one who could satisfy it.  When I finally started humbling myself and reading God’s Word with a desire to know Him and understand His will for my life, it truly was like an amazing banquet feast.  I fell in love with God’s Word and hungered for it every day, knowing these were the words of life for me.  His Word was sufficient for me.

…Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years.  Deuteronomy 8:4

God has provided for me and my family all these years.  I have had many financial struggles which have tested me to the core, and in some ways, they still continue, but He has proven to me that we are okay.  I have seen him provide for us in miraculous ways that I never saw coming.  I know He cares for me and my family, and He will not let me be tested beyond what I can bear.  Whenever I’m being tempted to be in despair, He wants me to look back and remember all the times he has provided for us.  And I thank him for the health I’ve enjoyed all these years as well.  It is not a guarantee, but it is a gift.

…Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.  Deuteronomy 8:5

I think it took going through The Journey and understanding the intimate, abiding relationship with Christ for me to begin to understand that I was adopted by God.  I am one of His sons.  He has been a loving Father to me all these years, but He’s also been tough on me when He needed to be.  He loves me too much to leave me in a sinful, undisciplined state.  Going on this long journey with Him, and especially during times where I felt like I was wandering in the wilderness, He was disciplining me, making me stronger and more courageous.  He lets me know when I’m being disobedient or when I’m letting hindrances get in the way of His plans for my life, and I’m grateful for this.

…So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.  Deuteronomy 8:6

Now that I have spent these 40+ years with Him, I know the way, and He expects me to stay on His path.  He wants me to abide with Him, obey His commandments, act like Him, and revere Him.  This admonition is contained as well in my life verse:  “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Romans 12:1-2  All of this walking with Him has not worn me out, but made me more energized to follow Him.

…For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper.  Deuteronomy 8:7-9

It is easy to believe that this talk of the Promised Land is a picture of Heaven, but I think it is also describing a place of abundance for the disciple who abides with Him.  Jesus said Himself, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10  He wants to provide for us and give us everything we need.  I didn’t say “everything we want”, but “everything we need.”  He knows what we need before we even ask.  I believe He likes it when we live in utter dependence upon Him.  Often, I have thought of my adoption by God as meaning I am part of a Royal Family.  From what I see in watching “The Crown” in their portrayal of the British Royal Family, they may be dysfunctional, but one thing is for sure… their needs are always met.  I am part of the King of Kings’ royal family.  Why should I expect anything less?

…And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.  Deuteronomy 8:10

I am very thankful all the Lord has done in my life these past 45 years.  I bless His name!  I am full of contentment and gratitude.  If nothing else ever happens in my life, I have had a wonderful life.  And it’s ALL because of the Lord and His graciousness, His discipline, His provision, His gifts, His adventure of faith.