I may need to watch it again because I don’t remember much about the movie “Shenandoah” (1965), but I have never forgotten the scene of the family around the dinner table saying grace led by Charlie Anderson (played by one of my favorite actors, Jimmy Stewart). This is the prayer: “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we’re about to eat, amen.”
I was reminded of this while reading through Deuteronomy chapter 8 where Israel is warned about forgetting God while trusting in themselves. As Moses reminded the people of God’s guidance and provision during the wilderness wandering (vss. 2-6) and encouraged them regarding the good land they were going to go in to possess (vss. 7-10), they were also warned against forgetting about God in the midst of enjoying the bounty of the land (vss. 11-16). We further read. . .
“(17) Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ (18) You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (19) And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. (20) Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-20 ESV)
It is true we are not to simply sit back and wait for God to drop what we need in our lap. Even as He cares for the birds (i.e. Matthew 6:26), He does not drop the worms into their nest. Let us remember it is God Who gives all things life, Who put the power in the seed to germinate, and Who gives us life and the strength to work and so sustain our life. Just as it is wrong to thank false gods for the blessings of life, so it is wrong to merely credit ourselves for all that sustains our life. May we always be thankful to God Who places in us and around us what we need for living life according to His Divine purposes!
Have a great day EVER MINDFUL OF THE THANKS GOD IS DUE!
Carl
