When We Really Know

Deuteronomy 8:17
“Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth'”

Daniel chapter 4 has the king having a dream. Daniel interprets it. Part of the dream was the king accepting that “Heaven rules”. Due to fear the king accepted it. However, fear isn’t the best motivator. For a person to accept rules and truths, it’s best if they have experienced them.

In verses 28 through 30 of Daniel 4, it says that a year later the king doubts that “Heaven rules”. He thinks, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built…” God instantly responds with a correction and a multi-month lesson. At the end, the king gives God the glory.

We go through similar experiences. It seems to be the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. We’ve got plenty of facts known, yet there isn’t much depth. We don’t know a town well unless we have travelled it’s streets. Before this someone may try to give us directions, but it’s confusing. Once we know a town directions are easy.

God wants to teach us many things. Trusting Him and being humble are big ones. We learn these through our experiences. Being in the bible is important, for it’s His Word. As we go through experiences, He will bring His Words to memory. That’s part of the teaching process.

Once we’ve lived these lessons, it’s hard to forget. God wants to honor and bless us. The context of Deuteronomy describes the extent of His blessing. However, if we’re honest we know that it’s from God. He leads us through difficulties. We pray for help and we experience many rescues.

We can lose this knowing by avoiding Him. If we avoid the Bible, church and fellowship, we are choosing not to walk with Him. His voice becomes faint and we forget those lessons.

Lord, thank You that You teach us good things. Help us to stay close so we never forget