Sustainer of Blessings

Hey friend, thank you for joining us for today's word of encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading titled, Sustainer of Blessings was written by James Banks. On January 15, 1919, a huge molasses tank burst in Boston. A 15-foot wave of more than two million gallons of molasses careened through the street at over 30 miles per hour, sweeping away rail cars, buildings, people, and animals. Molasses might seem harmless enough, but that day it was deadly.

21 people lost their lives with more than 150 injured. Sometimes even good things, like molasses, can overwhelm us unexpectedly. Before the Israelites entered the land God promised them, Moses warned the people to be careful not to take credit for the good things they'd receive, saying in Deuteronomy 8, 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, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God. They weren't to attribute this wealth to their own strength or capabilities. Instead, Moses said, remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. All good things, including physical health and the skills needed to earn a living, are blessings from the hand of our loving God.

Even when we've worked hard, it's He who sustains us. Oh, to hold our blessings with open hands, that we may gratefully praise God for His kindness to us. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. 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, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions.

He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 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. Let's pray. Thank you, Father, for sustaining us each and every moment of our lives. Would you please help us to recognize your kindness every single day, so that we may share it with others? And it's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thanks so much for listening today. My name is Wes Ward, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.