Remember the Lord Your God

The Wilderness Teaches Us to Remember

“Apart from Me you can do nothing.”

—Jesus (John 15:5)

During the wilderness journey, Moses helped the people of Israel understand the bigger picture: their hardships were not meaningless, but divinely purposed. God was using the desert to form their hearts—to teach them dependence, trust, and humility. In Deuteronomy 8, Moses warned them not to forget the Lord once they entered the Promised Land:

“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:17–18)

This message is timeless. Lent is our own wilderness season—a time to strip away distractions and remember where our help truly comes from. Jesus, echoing the heart of Moses, said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” These words challenge every illusion of self-sufficiency we carry. We are not the masters of our destiny. Every gift, every breath, every success—flows from His hand.

In seasons of hardship, our need for God is obvious. But in seasons of abundance, the temptation to forget Him is great. Lent reminds us to hold tightly to Him in both. Whether we are walking through a barren desert or basking in fruitful fields, our dependence on God never changes.

Thousands of years have passed since Moses addressed the people, but his words still speak with urgency: “Remember the Lord your God.”

Let this Lenten season be one of remembrance. Let us confess our pride, renew our dependence, and return to the One who gives us life.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve relied on my own strength. In this season of Lent, help me remember that apart from You, I can do nothing. Teach me to walk in humility and daily dependence on Your grace. Amen.