“I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” Hosea 13:5-6

 Have you ever noticed this pattern in your life? When you are in trouble you cry out to God, seeking His help and protection. But when He answers with blessings and has satisfied you and established you, you tend to become proud, even attributing your success to your own efforts. It may be human nature to do this, but we must guard against it. Moses warns Israel against this tendency way back in Deuteronomy 8:11-18, and many years later the prophet Hosea repeated the warning because the people had failed to obey.

 Here’s the original warning by Moses: “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,  then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:11-14a).”

 After describing some of the particulars of God’s blessing and protection he concludes his warning in verses 17-18: “You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

 I hope you experience great success and blessing in your pursuits and in your life, especially as you seek to follow God. I pray that God will bless you greatly and that you will never forget that it was all from God and that you will remember to give God all the glory.