God Is Checking You Out

Did you realize that God is checking you out….

God is very specific in instructions.  “All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do. . .” Deut 8:1 KJV

In Hebrews 8:5 we are told that God used the children of Israel as an example for us.  There is a very good reason that you and I should obey His directions “. . .that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD.”  V 1

When it comes to wealth and/or opportunity God checks us out . . . to determine our response to His Word and His commands.

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”  V 2

It’s easy to follow God when things are good . . .but the real measure of your faith is how you act and react when times are tough.

In the midst of adversity God wants to make sure that you’re depending on Him to deliver you from every attack of the enemy. . .and even from the success you will enjoy through obedience.

“. . . that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”  V 3

Our obedience to Him and His word is an absolute pre-requisite on our journey to the debt free life.

^“Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.” V6

When you obey God . . .follow His instructions. . .act on His promises, then the Lord will bring you “. . .into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;   A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;  A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it. . .” V 7-9

You may have been traveling through enemy territory but God is going to bring you into a fresh place. . .where every need will be met and you will LACK FOR NOTHING.

I personally like that phrase . . .in fact, lay claim to it. . .make it a part of your daily confession. . .personalize it.

I WILL LACK FOR NOTHING.

HAROLD HERRING WILL LACK FOR NOTHING

HAROLD AND BEV HERRING WILL LACK FOR NOTHING

That’s sounds pretty good . . .but it gets even better. . .when you remember the Lord thy God and what He’s done for you.

Check out Deuteronomy 8: 12-13.  It says:

“Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied.”

You will have a good house . . .you may have left behind a house in Egypt during your time of bondage to debt. . .but rejoice you’re going to have “goodly houses.”  Notice the scripture doesn’t just say that you’re going to have a house . . .it says that you’re going to have “houses.”  Are you seeing this?

Plus. . .the two verses also promise that everything you have will be multiplied.  Silver and gold will be multiplied to you. 

I don’t know about you but I like the Word multiplied.  When it comes to money and possessions multiplication is definitely better than addition.

I also like the Message Bible translation of verses 11-13:

“Make sure you don't forget God, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up.”

It says that obedient children are going to have “more and more money” coming into your life.  But once again, in Deuteronomy 8:14 we’re reminded that we have what we have and we will give what we give . . .not by our own hand. . .but because of the Lord.  We must always remember . . .what the Lord has done for us.

“Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget.” V14

Once again, the Message Bible says it a little clearer.

“Make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God.”

When it comes to our success in life . . .we must also remember that it’s not by our efforts.

^“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” V17

The people of Israel lived primarily in an agrarian society at this time.  People earned money by using their hands.  This verse is admonishing us to remember that we have what we have not because of who we are or what we’ve done but because of who God is as He works in and through us.

Once again, we’re told to remember . . .where our blessings and benefits come from.

 ^“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”  Deuteronomy 8:18

Unfortunately, as many believers become successful they forget . . .how they got where they are.

I understand that you may have worked hard to get where you  are. . .but I also know that it was the Lord who gave you. . .a brain to think with. . .the strength of body to work. . . the health to function properly. . .and the skills to create possibilities.

In short, we are who we are and where we are because of who is in us.

We tend to forget why we are where we are . . . those who’ve helped and blessed us along the way.

I’m feeling stirred tomorrow…I’m going to teach on Remember Who Brought You To The Dance.