Deuteronomy 6:12 (ESV)
“Then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
There are numerous times throughout my life when I have prayed for something and then failed to give God the full praise He deserved when the answer came. I can think of times when I prayed for financial provision to be able to obtain something we needed. I can think of seasons involving sickness or the need for medical attention. In those moments, the need had my attention, and I brought it before the Lord. But once the situation changed, I sometimes moved forward without giving the same attention to thanking Him.
That is uncomfortable to admit, but I imagine I am not the only one. When something is uncertain, we remember to pray. We ask others to pray with us. We think about the situation throughout the day and bring it to God again before going to sleep. Then the provision comes, the situation improves, or we receive the news we were hoping for. We feel relieved, and life begins moving again. Before long, another concern takes the place of the one that once seemed so overwhelming.
In Deuteronomy 6, Moses is preparing Israel for life in the promised land. He tells them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might. God’s words are to be on their hearts and part of their everyday conversations. Then Moses describes what they will encounter: cities they did not build, houses filled with things they did not provide, cisterns they did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees they did not plant. They are about to enjoy provision that reaches far beyond their own efforts.
Right in the middle of that description, Moses gives them a warning. When they have eaten and are full, they must be careful not to forget the Lord who brought them out of Egypt. Moses understands that their relationship with God will need attention after they arrive. The wilderness made their dependence difficult to ignore. A settled life, with food available and a roof over their heads, could make it easier to overlook. They would need to remember where they had come from and who had brought them there.
There is something here that we need to take seriously. Having our needs met can change the way we pray. When the bills are paid, our health improves, or the circumstances settle down, we may feel less urgency to spend time with the Lord. We would probably never say that we no longer need Him. Yet our habits can begin to reflect that attitude. The attention we gave Him during the difficult season gradually gets absorbed by the life we were asking Him to help us through.
Forgetting God can happen while we still believe in Him and attend church regularly. We can know the right things and still become careless about acknowledging His goodness. We begin talking about how everything worked out without mentioning the One we asked to help us. We explain the provision entirely through the opportunity, the timing, or the people involved. Those things may have been part of the answer, and we should appreciate them. We should also remember that we had brought that very need before God.
When I look back at my own life, I want to be more attentive to those moments. If I asked God for provision, I want to pause when it comes and thank Him for it. If I brought a concern about sickness or medical care to Him, I want to acknowledge His care as I walk through the outcome. I do not want my prayers to become a constant stream of requests with very little gratitude for what He has already done. That requires me to slow down enough to notice.
One practical place to begin is by returning to a prayer we have already prayed. Think about something that weighed on you a month ago or a year ago. Where does that situation stand today? Perhaps the answer came so gradually that you never stopped to recognize it. Maybe what once felt impossible has become an ordinary part of your life. Take a few minutes to remember the concern you carried and thank God specifically for the ways He provided, sustained you, or gave you help.
Some of us are still waiting for the answer we hoped to receive. This passage does not promise that every circumstance will turn out the way we want. We can be honest with God about disappointment and continue asking for His help. Even in an unresolved situation, there may be evidence of His care that deserves our attention: strength for another day, someone who showed up, wisdom for a decision, or peace during a difficult conversation. Gratitude can grow alongside prayers that remain unanswered.
Today, consider something you once asked God for that you now experience as part of everyday life. Let that memory lead you back into conversation with Him. Thank Him for the provision, the care, and the people He used along the way. Give that thanksgiving some of the attention you gave the original request. As you enjoy what He has provided, keep making room for the Lord Himself. The relationship that carried you through the need deserves your attention after the answer comes.
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I have asked earnestly for Your help and then hurried past the opportunity to thank You. Help me recognize the prayers You have answered and the ways You continue to care for me. Keep my heart attentive to You when life is comfortable, and sustain my trust where I am still waiting. Teach me to acknowledge Your goodness with specific, sincere gratitude. May the gifts You provide remind me to draw closer to You and love You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.