Deuteronomy 26

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, 2 put some of the first produce from each crop you harvest into a basket and bring it to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored. 3 Go to the priest in charge at that time and say to him, ‘With this gift I acknowledge to the Lord your God that I have entered the land he swore to our ancestors he would give us.’ 4 The priest will then take the basket from your hand and set it before the altar of the Lord your God.

5 “You must then say in the presence of the Lord your God, ‘My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live as a foreigner in Egypt. His family arrived few in number, but in Egypt they became a large and mighty nation. 6 When the Egyptians oppressed and humiliated us by making us their slaves, 7 we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard our cries and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. 8 So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and powerful arm, with overwhelming terror, and with miraculous signs and wonders. 9 He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey! 10 And now, O Lord, I have brought you the first portion of the harvest you have given me from the ground.’ Then place the produce before the Lord your God, and bow to the ground in worship before him. 11 Afterward you may go and celebrate because of all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household. Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among you in the celebration.

The Israelites are encouraged to not forget where they came from and who brought them into the promised land. Throughout the history of the people of God, one of the key aspects of our worship is in the retelling the story of God. How He rescued us from our slavery and how He has led us to abundant blessing. In addition, because of God’s great mercy and grace, and the undeserved blessings they’ve received from God, the people of God are always generous. They willingly give away a portion of what they have in honor of God’s faithful provision.

• Have you shared the stories of God’s goodness recently?
• Who are a couple of people you could tell today?
• Have you ever written those stories down? Perhaps now is the time?
• Are you willingly giving away some of God’s provision to honor Him?

Thank you, Lord, for your faithful provision! Thank you for rescuing me from my sin and leading me to a place of spiritual, relational, and tangible abundance. Remind me again of the many great things you have done and inspire me to joyfully share what you have blessed me with.