Don’t forget to give thanks after the meal. Read Deuteronomy 8:1-10. It had been a long 40 years wandering in the wilderness, and soon they would be entering the Promised Land. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is both looking back and looking forward. He looked back and reminded them that God was present as God led them out of Egypt and fed them manna as they journeyed for 40 years through the wilderness. As Moses looked forward, he encouraged them to remember God, to remember God’s law, and to remember to give thanks. He described the Promised Land as land rich with produce and fresh water. They would fill their bellies with grapes, figs, barley, olives, honey, and bread. There would also be minerals and materials in the ground that would provide the opportunity to make tools and pots. Moses told them to give thanks to God after they had eaten and were satisfied. Today, our Christian habit is to give thanks to God before we eat. I hope that is your habit as well. But here we see that we are not only to give thanks before we eat, but after we eat. This is good advice for more than just eating our meals. When we ask God to be with us at the beginning of the day, we can thank God for being with us at the end of the day. We can thank God for giving us a home to live in, a car to drive, friends to laugh with, family to love with, and a church family to worship with. Just like Moses, we can look back and look forward.

Holy God, we give thanks to you for the bread that you provide us. Let this bread sustain and nourish us this day. We also give thanks for your Holy Word, which is the bread for our souls. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to remain grateful before and after each meal and each blessing. Amen.