Thanksgiving on the Mountaintop—The Danger of Forgetting

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Monday, November 9, 2026

Today's Text: Deuteronomy 8:10-18

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV) — "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day."

As a sequel to yesterday's meditation, we are still looking at cultivating thankfulness across different seasons, environments, and emotional landscapes of life. Yesterday we learned to be thankful in the valley. Today we learn to be thankful on the mountaintop. It challenges the idea that gratitude is dependent on external circumstances. Gratitude is not only for lean seasons. It is also for full seasons. In fact, the mountaintop carries its own danger. The text is part of Moses' farewell sermons on the plains of Moab, delivered just before the Israelites cross the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. The original generation that escaped Egypt has passed away in the wilderness. This new generation is about to shift from a nomadic, dependent existence (sustained by miraculous manna and water in the desert) to an agrarian, settled life in a fertile land full of prosperity. And, when life is good, it is easy to forget. When the harvest is full, it is easy to say, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth." This message anchors success in God's provision and keeps the heart humble.

Therefore, around 1406 BC, on the plains of Moab, Moses spoke to the new generation of Israelites just before they crossed the Red Sea. This is a new generation who did not experience the valley life of living as slaves in Egypt. A generation so blessed they were standing at the edge of the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, with goodly houses, vineyards, and olive trees they did not plant. Moses knew their greatest test would not be hunger in the wilderness. It would be fullness in the land. The same test of the postmodern Christian generation. So, he warned them in advance. When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God. He told them to beware lest they forget God in the days of plenty. Israel had survived Pharaoh, the Red Sea, and forty years of manna. But Moses feared they might not survive prosperity.

This biblical account teaches us that acceptable thanksgiving is never dependent on what we have, but on who God is. In the valley, we learn to trust. On the mountaintop, we learn to remember. It is easy to pray when we are desperate. It is harder to pray or even praise when we are comfortable. Success can make us self-sufficient. Abundance can make us spiritually forgetful. This is called spiritual amnesia. We forget who carried us. We forget who opened the door. We forget who gave us strength, wisdom, favor, and health. Today, many desire blessing without brokenness, harvest without hardship, and praise without pain. But Moses reminds us that a life of public praise must be rooted in private remembrance. Thanksgiving on the mountaintop begins with remembering in the light. Never despise your seasons of plenty; God sees your faithfulness. Be thankful on the mountaintop!

Thanksgiving helps us to stay humble in success. Despite the goodly houses and the multiplied herds and flocks, Israel is to remain spiritually alert and to remember that God gave them power to get wealth. The same prosperity that makes some people proud, has also made others more dependent on God. So, never allow the size of your blessing to destroy the strength of your faith. God's provision may come in unexpected ways and at moments you cannot predict, but your responsibility is to remain spiritually alert. Do not become so satisfied by what has happened that you become blind to who made it happen. Like Moses taught Israel, we must remain ready to bless God after we have eaten and are full. Keep praying, trusting, and worshipping. Be thankful on the mountaintop, stay humble in success, and rejoice in the Lord!

Moses shared the testimony of God's faithfulness to encourage and remind them that discovering God's goodness on the mountaintop carries the responsibility of declaring or making God's goodness known. No grand platform is needed to proclaim a great Savior; our families, congregations, workplaces, and communities are all places where gratitude can inspire humility and strengthen faith. True greatness is measured not by fame, possessions, or accumulated blessings, but by faithfulness, worship, and the impact we make in pointing others to God. One moment of thanksgiving is beautiful, but a lifetime of gratitude builds lasting testimony. Brethren, let us learn this: life is not about how much we receive or how long we live, but how faithfully and consistently our lives reveal the goodness of God.

Action Steps: Spend time in prayer and worship today. Identify an area where God has blessed you, and renew your remembrance of Him. Ask for strength to stay humble in success, then share a testimony of God's provision with someone who needs encouragement. Never consider yourself too blessed, too successful, or too secure to thank God. Be thankful on the mountaintop; let your abundance become a testimony, your gratitude a witness, and your life a message that points others to Him. Remember faithfully, rejoice in God, and proclaim Him boldly!

Quote for the Day: "A life spent thanking God on the mountaintop stays humble, and on topmost heights. For such, blessing never becomes boasting, and a high places remain holy places for God." — Simon Olatunji (#quotablequotes)

Let Us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for Moses' exemplary life of thanksgiving and warning. Help me remain faithful in seasons of plenty, humble in moments of success, and courageous in sharing my testimony. Deliver me from forgetfulness and pride. Let my life reveal Jesus and inspire others to seek You. May my gratitude leave a lasting legacy for Your glory. In Jesus' most glorious name. Amen.

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Thank you for threshing the Word with me today. For further study, please read: Deuteronomy 8:10-18; Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Psalm 103:1-5; Luke 12:16-21; 1 Chronicles 29:11-14; James 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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