God has given you so many good things. Your life. Your family. Your home. Your job. Whether you are good or evil, God provides for you (cf. Matt. 5:45). The evidence of His love and care surrounds us all so completely that there really is no good excuse for failing to know, honor, and thank Him (cf. Rom. 1:20-21). Yet, fail we do – and not just unbelievers.
Loving God with our all – heart, soul, and might – is “the great and first commandment” of His Law, and He made sure we know exactly what it looks like to keep it (Matt. 22:37-38, cf. Deut. 6:4-5). Our love of God is to be so complete that it is on our hearts, our clothes, and even our homes (cf. Deut. 6:6, 8-9). We are to talk about it all the time – especially with our children (cf. Deut. 6:7). For good reason, too: without constant reminders, we so easily forget.
Even those of us who know God often allow the good things He has given us to become sources of distraction rather than causes for praise. Before Israel ever set foot in the land God promised them – a land “with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant” – Moses taught them to “take care lest you forget the LORD” (Deut. 6:10-12). In our sinful state, it is all too easy to start to think we deserve the good things in our lives. Instead of feeling grateful, we feel entitled – which then replaces the peace of knowing God cares for us with anxiety about losing what we have. We resent when setbacks come, perhaps even blaming God for them, and when we see something we want more – a bigger house, a better job – we devote our thoughts, feelings, and energy to chasing that instead of loving God with what we have.
The problem is: that’s idol worship. Whenever the good things God has given us in life start competing with Him for our time, attention, and affection, we are on a road to ruin. “The LORD our God, the LORD is one… Him you shall serve and by His name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you – for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God” (Deut. 6:4, 13-15). God will not share us – nor should He. He has been so good to you and me.
So, take this opportunity to refocus. Think about the good God has done in your life. Thank Him for it. Then use it – all of it, heart, soul, and might – to love Him.
Learn more ways to build your life on Christ through our series Firm Foundation.