Lesson 19: YOU MUST NOT FORGET

MEMORY VERSE-“And you shall remember the LORD you God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” Deuteronomy 8:18
LESSON TEXT-Deuteronomy 8:11-18

INTRODUCTION

David called on us to bless the Lord. He recalled the situation of His fall and how he rose from grass to grace and said that we should not forget ALL His benefits, Ps. 103: 2. It is often easy to recall wrongs rather than the good aspects of life. David was able to defeat Goliath by recalling the benefits of the Lord, 1 Sam. 17: 31-37. Spouses, most often, hardly see each other from the angle of strength but from the area of weaknesses.We hardly hear people appreciate God for the daily mercies that are taken for granted. The Bible therefore warns people to beware because it is easy to forget. It is our prayers that the Lord will teach us today in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LESSON OUTLINE

1. THOSE WHO FORGOT
2. WHY PEOPLE FORGET

LESSON CONTENT

1. THOSE WHO FORGOT
   There are several examples of people in the Bible who forgo the goodness or mercies of the Lord. The elders in Israel, chosen to spy the land of Canaan forgot the God who delivered them from slavery in Egypt. They did not remember the red sea experience or the God who turned bitter water into sweet water at Marah.Everyone saw giants but only two saw God to be greater than the giants, Num. 13: 32-33;14: 1. They forgot God’s covenant with them and their fathers, 2 Kings 17: 36-40. The men of David forgot who they were, 1 Sam.22: 1-2, but for God and David in their lives; they planned to stone David,1 Sam. 30: 1-6. Only one leper came back to express appreciation to Jesus Christ, Lk. 17:17-18. Herod forgot the mercies of God and was eaten up by worms, Acts 12: 21-24.
2. WHY PEOPLE FORGET
   There are several reasons why people forget the mercies of the Lord. They include changes in environment. The children of Israel left the sufferings in Egypt for Canaan, and they forgot God’s mercies by murmuring against God. Success is another reason people forget to praise God. When man has eaten and is full, Dt. 8: 12; 2 Chr.26:1-15, there is the tendency to forget God. Prosperity may give birth to complacency and man may forget the mercies of God, Dt. 8:12-14.When sin multiplies, it is often hard to remember the mercies of the Lord, Matt. 24: 12-13.Pride,thoughts that achievements is due to personal hard work only without God and seeking the Lord may not be a way of life, 2 Chr. 26: 16-21.

CONCLUSION

God chose us to show forth the praise of Him who has called us from darkness into His marvelous light, 1 Pet. 2:9. We must therefore not forget His benefits

QUESTIONS

1. Why is it easy for people to remember evil situations than good ones?
2. Give some examples of people who forgot the goodness of God
3. How do people demonstrate their appreciation to God?

ASSIGNMENT

Students to identify occasions when they forgot to acknowledge God’s goodness and make amend.