Monday, April 20, 2009

Textual Tuesday

God must be trying to teach me something. Today's scripture kind of continues the thought from last week...

It all started when I found my new favorite website: www.hebrew4christians.com
Here is a short excerpt from a section on Blessings:

"Jews normally do not say "grace" before meals (as do many Christians) but rather after they have eaten. They do not "bless" the food either, but rather acknowledge that God is the One who provides for their sustenance."

This prayer is called Birkat Hamazon.

The reasoning behind this "praying after meals" makes alot of sense. Listen to the words of Dueteronomy 8...

"10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 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. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 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."

Sometimes truth needs to smack you right between the eyes for you to notice.
It's so easy to pray for God to fill my stomach...but then I don't praise him when I am full.
It's easy to ask God for help in difficult times...but it's also easy to forget to thank Him when He answers.
Last week I posted about Jesus praying after huge events and helping lots of people. I think God wants us to pray after small things (like eating meals) too.
Do not forget the LORD your God. Praise Him for all He has done.

3 comments:

Judy said...

It does seem like we so often forget to thank God afterwards for something He's blessed us with. We forget His goodness so quickly.

Tracy said...

I like your new blog layout. You are one cool dude and I love you lots :)

Todd Brumley said...

I also like your new layout. I also think you are a cool dude. And I also love you lots:)

Thanks for the new insight on the Hebrew culture. That is neat that they pray after. I have never even noticed that before. Are you suggesting that we pray after instead of before? Does it really matter?