February 20, 2025 - Deuteronomy 8-11

“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness” (8:1-2).  Something that I rehearse and repeat often is the value of remembering God’s past mercies and faithfulness.  Last evening, Donna and I read Psalm 90; Moses had much to remember and to remind the people about.  The book of Deuteronomy very much looks forward as Moses prepares the people to enter the Promised Land, their new home.  But it, in so many ways and so often, turns the peoples’ gaze to the past.  “You shall remember the hole way that the Lord your God has led you all these forty years in the wilderness” . . . oh my, the people had so much to remember:  the covenant with Abraham that was handed down to Isaac and Jacob, Joseph and Egypt, the exodus from Egypt, the covenant at Mt. Sinai, God’s mercy in not destroying them because of their idolatry, water and food miraculously provided, victories over their enemies and, now, brought to the doorsteps of the Promised Land.  Moses sang, and we sing.

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name.   –Matt & Beth Redman, 2005