Developing Strong Christian Lives

The Bible Teaching Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Paul J. Bucknell

Introduction | A. Embrace | B. Understand | C. Respond | Podcast

Purpose: Deuteronomy 8:1-20 shows the importance of rightly responding to our Lord’s work in our lives.

C.) Respond to God's work in our lives.

We build a strong Christian life by obeying and remembering Him. There is no doubt that God has a purpose in mind when He gives us His commands. Responses vary, but I will highlight two types: obedience and remembrance.

Obedience to the Lord’s commands

Let’s examine the specific verses here that point us to obedience.

“All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your forefathers” (Deuteronomy 8:1).

“Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him” (Deuteronomy 8:6).

“Beware lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today” (Deuteronomy 8:11).

“And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish. “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 8:19-20).

Commands are directives from God Himself on how we are to live. His Word shapes our decisions and worldview. Some of you are afraid of obedience among unbelievers. You fear man rather than God. Notice God’s emphasis in Deuteronomy 8:1, “All the commandments,” and “you shall be careful to do.” We might know a lot about God’s Word, but we need to observe God’s commands. There are many commands related to our lives. Just open the New Testament and see what Jesus would have you do.

Commands are meant to lead us to the best life possible. When we obey, we are blessed. Therefore, the Lord exhorts us to obey. You can know what you should do. You can tell others what they should do. But do you obey Him? Your life will reflect your decisiveness to obey Him. You can only experience Christ’s fullness when you aim to live out God’s will for your life.

Remembering His great ways

We are also encouraged to remember God’s ways. We get both positive and negative reminders to recall the Lord’s past dealings.

“And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, 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).

God has told us to remember “all the way which the Lord your God has led you” (Deuteronomy 8:2). In verse 8:18, He also instructs us to remember the Lord our God. The experiences He provides are part of our training. Think of them as courses or lessons. God arranges these in our lives because of specific needs. They are His special ways of equipping us. If we forget the basic lessons we've learned through life, it’s as if we have to take that course again.

“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

We are also advised to remember ‘the Lord your God.’ What happens when we get to know someone, enjoy their company, and share activities together? For one reason or another, life becomes busy, and we no longer spend time with Him. It is so essential to spend time with the Lord each day.

I believe there is nothing more important in my life than dedicating quality time to the Lord over the years. I have experienced disappointment in many human relationships. God has always been present. But if I forget the Lord and focus on others, then when those human relationships fail, I find it harder to turn to the Lord. However, by regularly remembering the Lord through prayer and meditating on His Word, I can always stay close to Him and strengthen that relationship.

Negatively, we read other verses.

“Beware lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today” (Deuteronomy 8:11).

Then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Deuteronomy 8:14).

“And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish” (Deuteronomy 8:19).

We must not let time or the distractions of the present cause us to forget these lessons. We should go out of our way to remember these things. If we forget the lessons, then we will forget the Lord. Our lives comprise commands and experiences from the Lord. They work together to create a warm response to Him. From here, we will see many blessings in our lives.

Final summary

Notice at the end of 8:16, “that he might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.” We return to the humbling and testing times that we initially faced. God does these things. We, as His disciples, are wise if we learn quickly; otherwise, we might be among those lining up for depression medication. See how the Lord clearly explains His motivation. There may be many things He doesn't say, but this purpose is certain: “to do good for you in the end.”

This one line should be well memorized because it can protect you from many temptations. If you look behind most temptations, the evil one will suggest that God does not have your best interest in mind. God says He does, even during the humbling and testing times of life. Our belief in this will be tested next time you face a hard time. See if you are tempted to doubt God’s good intentions and how you respond to these untrue thoughts. If you listen to them, then you will fall.” Doubt leads to disobedience.

When you are tempted to seek quick fixes, they will more than likely cause you pain later on. Just like in painting, God refines us by removing the old layers so a fresh coat of paint can be applied.

Evaluation

“Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!”

A) Embrace God’s good purposes

God has a great plan for your life. Trust Him no matter what.

B) Understand life’s experiences

Reflect on the experiences God has brought you through. What lessons have you learned? They will guide you in the future.

C) Respond to our Lord’s dealings

Respond to the Lord’s love by obeying Him and recalling His ways in your life.

_____________

This series on Deuteronomy 8 ends here, but do check out BFF’s many other Bible articles.