Deuteronomy 4:9–“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 

The idea of being motivated to be faithful, committed, and productive in life seems to always be a popular idea.  Whether that is in fitness, work, school, etc. being, motivated in this sense, usually looks for an outward inspiration to do what is needed.  Yet the Lord calls on us to think back on what He has done, and inwardly and be motivated for the present and future!

Gratitude is the result of looking back, or even presently on where we are, and not allowing the opportunity to be “wasted”.  Whether that is through complaining, laziness, entitlement, etc. such an attitude would be characterized as ingratitude.  Ingratitude forgets the privilege of where we are, not considering Christ who combats such “forgetfulness” of where we could be…(Hebrews 12:28)

Moses in this chapter gives a closing speech to his ministry.  In it, he reminds the Israelites of what God has done, of His many works to “motivate them” to obey and wholeheartedly follow the Lord.  This is the chapter before He lays down the Ten Commandments, that the Israelites not be motivated by “rules” alone, but by the Person who has brought them thus far…(John 14:15)

This is why Moses calls on them to share with “their children and their children’s children”.  Because in sharing what the Lord has done, you share an experience as a witness to the Person of God.  To share no experiences or testimonies with people, but only scripture and commandments, may appear to them as only rules without the experience of God!  Something Moses made sure he didn’t do before he shared the Ten commandments…(Deuteronomy 4:32-40)

Does that mean we need an experience with God, to validate every scripture we share with people, no, but it helps!  In my attempt to motivate myself, my kids, or anyone to be motivated by God, I think about my experiences or provoke others to think about their own with God.  That is the role of the Holy Spirit, to stir us up to Jesus, the Living Word.  In being stirred up to remember Him, He always reminds us of how good He is and has been, which should motivate us to want to obey Him from within. (John 14:26, Jude 20)

In His Love, Ld