Cycle of Nations
Our discussion in class this past Sunday was primarily in reference to the “Cycle of Nations”, a Biblical outline of attitudes and resulting events that a nation commonly experiences during its existence. God blesses a nation, that nation becomes satisfied and develops pride, the nation begins to forget God, and God brings judgment upon the nation in order that they might remember, repent and return to God. If they do not remember God, He will bring destruction.
We find a description of this process in Deuteronomy 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. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.
Some basic observations:
1. When we are blessed by God (“When you have eaten and are satisfied”) our response should be that we praise Him.
2. Knowing the nature of sinful man, the Lord cautions us (“be careful”) that we not “forget” Him – evidenced by the failure to observe His commands, laws, and decrees.
3. He tells us what will happen in our hearts when we forget that He is the source of our blessing – “your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God”.
4. He reminds us of what we so easily forget – “He led you…” “He brought you…” “He gave you…”
5. He captures the prideful arrogance of our hearts - "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." This is the “natural” progression when we “forget” God – “It wasn’t God. It was me!”
6. He reminds us of the TRUTH – “it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
7. He assures us that, as always, there are consequences to our choices.
It is only when a nation remembers, repents, and returns to the Lord that blessing is restored.
“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:5)
How can it be that a nation or an individual could “forget” God? This certainly doesn’t mean that we completely forget that He exists. What it does mean is this: “to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention”.
Oblivious means to be unconscious or unaware. At this point you may ask “How can one be unconscious or unaware of God’s blessing – even His presence?” The answer is found in these words – “from want of memory or attention”.
WANT OF MEMORY…
Scripture tells us that we are to remember, and it tells us frequently! (See Psalm 63:6; Psalm 77:11; Psalm 105:5; Deuteronomy 24:32) Why do you suppose we are reminded so often to “remember”? Because we have a tendency to forget not only what God has done, but His very character and nature!
When I examine my own life, I can see that the Lord had His hand on my life long before I was saved, and has continued to do so ever since. He brought me through the years of anger and bitterness after my father died. He brought an amazing woman into my life who has been my helpmate for almost 38 years. He saw my family through times of illness – some acute and severe, some chronic and long lasting. He brought blessing to me in business, and blessed us with two wonderful children who have grown to become adults whom I respect and admire. His blessing just goes on and on…
It pains me to admit how seldom I think of these things. All too often I suffer from “want of memory” and I “forget” Him, becoming unaware and oblivious.
WANT OF ATTENTION…
This one seems pretty clear. It does not seem possible that one could at the same time pay attention to something and also be unaware of it. If I am paying attention to God on a regular and frequent basis, I cannot “forget” God. So, how do I pay attention to God?
Every time I turn to His word, I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I pray I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit, I am turning my attention to Him. Every time I seek His wisdom and guidance, I am turning my attention to Him.
Among the many things God has taught me in 30 plus years as a believer is this: These things don’t happen without a high level of intentionality. I don’t know about you, but I find that the busyness of life will crowd out my prayer and bible time unless I intentionally take time specifically for this purpose. One of the great challenges we face living in this culture is the “busy, busy, busy”, “pedal to the metal” way of life that is so prevalent today. It’s surprisingly easy for God to get pushed from the center of life (where He rightfully belongs) out to the periphery of life. I don’t pay much attention to Him when He is relegated to the periphery.
In this past Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Hendley used the term “Practical Atheism”, meaning living as though God does not exist. I realize that this happens in my life when I suffer from a want of memory and attention. When I “forget” Him, I become prideful and arrogant – sometimes in subtle ways, but nonetheless full of pride and arrogance. Perhaps you can relate.
The reality is that we as individuals experience something very similar to the “Cycle of Nations”. Try this – read the following, inserting your name in the blanks:
God blesses ______, ______ becomes satisfied and develops pride, _____ begins to forget God, and God brings judgment upon _______ in order that ________ might remember, repent and return to God.
Have you ever “been there”?
The more important question: Where are you (and I) NOW? If we are remembering all that God has already done in our lives, and giving Him the attention He deserves, we will not be “practical atheists.” We will be His “change agents” in the culture.
May it be so.
In Christ,
John
Soli Deo Gloria
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