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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. Deuteronomy 8:14

Israel stands at a pivotal moment, poised on the edge of the promised land after forty years in the wilderness. Moses delivers a crucial warning to people who’ve only known wilderness wandering. They are about to enter a land of abundance—flowing with milk and honey, bursting with crops, filled with houses they didn’t build and vineyards they didn’t plant. Moses sees danger ahead. When they experience this unprecedented prosperity, they might forget that God rescued them from slavery, sustained them in the desert and brought them to this point. Their hearts could easily shift from dependence to pride.

Pride remains a subtle but powerful force today. When we sit down to a meal, a waterfall of self-sufficient thoughts can flood our minds: I earned the money for this food. I drove to the store. I prepared the meal. I set the table. Whether we’re eating ramen noodles or a steak dinner, pride whispers that we are responsible for all we have. The gravitational pull toward pride tempts us to forget our daily dependence on God’s provision. Like Israel, we need regular reminders that everything we have—from food to abilities to opportunities—comes from God’s hand.

TODAY: Continue your daily gratitude journal with three entries. Today, express gratitude for your meals. Take time to pray before eating, thanking God not just for the food but for every person and process involved in bringing it to your table. If you have children, involve them in expressing thanks, helping them recognize God’s provision in even the simplest meals. Let your mealtime become a reminder of dependence rather than pride.