Part of That World

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4 Key Verse: 4:27-31
"The LORD will scatter you among the people of the world, and only a few of you will be left among the nations where the LORD will force you to live. There you will worship wooden and stone gods made by human hands. These gods can't see, hear, eat, or smell. But if you look for the LORD your God when you are among those nations, you will find him whenever you search for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you're in distress and all these things happen to you, then you will finally come back to the LORD your God and obey him. The LORD you God is a merciful God. He will not abandon you, destroy you, or forget the promise to your ancestors that he swore he would keep."

Objective:
As they were standing east of the Jordan river, Moses reminded those that were left what the Lord had told them as far as rules and promises went. In Chapter 4 he urges them to remember the rules, and live by them so they will obtain the promises. He tells them what will happen if they don't, and also what reminded them of what happened before.

Application:
There are days that I feel scattered among the people of the world. I know that there are days when I choose to not only live in the world but be part of the world. Arial from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" sang a song called "Part of your world." In this song she goes on about what a better place it is out of the water. She wishes she could shed her fins and be there with the people dancing and singing. Some days I sing this song. I look at how easy it seems the world has it. We both go through things that are tough there is no doubt. But I don't see them getting up early to do devotions, or fasting for guidance and/or healing. Wouldn't it be nice to be part of that world.
The answer is a resounding "NO." According to the scriptures they do serve gods. There gods are made of stone or wood. Maybe today there gods are made of paper and precious metals in the form of money. Maybe there gods are beamed into their houses through the internet, television or radio. In the end their gods won't last. they fall from grace, or seem less fulfilling over time. The problem is that I still sometimes become part of that world.
God is merciful and will forgive, if we truly seek after God with all our heart and soul. He will remember the promises he made. He will restore you to grace and forgiveness. God will not abandon you. No matter where you go or how far you walk away, God is always ready to catch you and bring you home.

Prayer:
Lord thank you for being a gracious and loving father that will not destroy, abandon or forget us. Lord you have blessed us so much in our world, I ask that you continue to open my eyes to the glory around me. Help me grow closer to you and deeper in your knowledge. Help us fight the temptation to walk away or seek other gods. Help us seek you with all our heart and soul.