Gratitude in a Battle Gives Life When There’s Peace

Rabbi Sacks says it like this: “What medicine now knows about individuals, Moses knew hundreds of years ago about nations.“

Gratitude gives life.

This week’s Parasha reminds us of Deut. 8:18 that we are not sole authors of what is good in our lives.

The proud see this truth as a debt owed to strangers and reject a life of gratitude. The humble submit to a posture of gratitude.

Deuteronomy 8:11–18

[11] “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, [12] lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, [13] and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, [14] then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, [15] who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, [16] who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. [17] Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ [18] You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. (ESV)