February 25, 2025 - Deuteronomy 28-30

In Moab, God renewed the covenant he had made with Israel at Mt. Horeb (Sinai).  Moses explained to the people the paths of blessing (obey God) and curse (disobey God), and he encouraged the people with these words:  “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you” (30:1-3).  God disciplines his people for disobedience, sometimes very harshly, but how gracious he is, when we return to him with all our heart and soul, to have mercy upon us!  This is a call to believers never to say, “I have gone too far.  Surely, God will not have me back.”  Rather, we should remember this promise, return to the Lord our God, and receive his forgiveness.

Sinners, turn: why will ye die?

God, your Maker, asks you Why;

God, who did your being give,

Made you with Himself to live.

Sinners, turn: why will ye die?

God, your Savior, asks you why;

Will ye not in Him believe?

He has died that ye might live.

Will ye not His grace receive?

Will ye still refuse to live?

O ye dying sinners, why,

Why will you forever die?   --Charles Wesley (1742)