"Then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery" (Deuteronomy 8:14).
Moses told the people that the land God gave them was filled with riches. They were going to inherit the fields, cities, vineyards, and other developed culture of the Canaanites. The one thing they were not to inherit, however, was the religion of the Canaanites; they were to destroy every religious artifact they found (Deuteronomy 7:17–8:9).
Moses warned them not to forget the source of all their blessings. He told them that the time would come when, as a result of their obedience, they would enjoy much prosperity, and their silver and gold would multiply. He warned that when this happened they would be tempted to forget they owed it all to God. They would tend to think their power and strength, their wisdom and sound economics, brought them their blessings (Deuteronomy 8:10–18).
Moses said that if they ever started taking credit for these benefits, God would judge them. Those who started believing in themselves, he said, would end up worshipping idols of stone and metal. The final result would be an angry God who would destroy them the same way He destroyed the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 8:19–20).
Moses’ message in Deuteronomy 8 conveys a solemn warning to each of us and to our society. What nation has ever enjoyed as much prosperity as the United States of America? Her prosperity came about because, in spite of many failings, her forefathers were faithful to God. In recent years, however, Americans have overthrown their faith in God and have come to believe that their blessings are simply the result of hard work and the free enterprise system. The United States is turning back to idolatry and witchcraft in the form of New Age beliefs and practices. According to the Bible, God will not stand for this.
Moses said the only cure for this disastrous trend is to remember two things. First, remember who God is. Second, remember who you are. You are a sinner and you deserve nothing. God is the only source of life, strength, and wealth, and all you have you owe to Him and Him alone. Unless each nation, including America, turns back and remembers these things, each shall surely be judged.
Independence is a treasured American virtue which sometimes interferes with spiritual values and needs. Far from being a weakness, dependence upon God is a sign of spiritual maturity. Identify where you need to become more dependent upon God.
