Returning to the Lord

Deuteronomy Chapter 30

Suppose, said Moses to the Israelites, suppose all the blessings and curses happen to you and you meditate on them as you are living among the nations to which the Lord has exiled you. If at that time you return to the Lord and you and your children begin wholeheartedly to obey all the commandments, then the Lord will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you back from all the nations where he has scattered you. He will return you to the land that belonged to your ancestors and you will be even more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors.

The Lord, said Moses, will cleanse your heart and hearts of your descendants so you will love him with all your heart and soul and you may live. The Lord will inflict the curses on your enemies and persecutors. Then you will again obey the commandments and God will make you successful in all you do.

This command I am giving you today, said Moses, is not too difficult for you to understand or perform. It is not distant up in heaven so you need not go to heaven and bring it down to hear and obey it. It is not beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask who will cross the sea to bring it back. The message is close at hand, it is on your lips and in your heart so you can obey it.

Now listen! said Moses, I am giving a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. I am commanding you to love the Lord your God and keep his commandments, laws and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and you are drawn to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will be destroyed.

Today, said Moses, I give you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord and obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Moses was telling the Hebrews that when they were ready to return to God, he would be ready to receive them. His mercy is unimaginable. Even if they turned their backs and walked away from him, he would still take them back.

How does this chapter relate to us today? God forgives us too and brings us back to himself. Some of us don't learn this until our world comes crashing down around us. We learn the hard way what God has been saying all along. No matter how bad thing are, God promises a fresh beginning for us all. His laws are written in the Bible and are easy to read and understand. Obeying his laws is sensible and beneficial, the most difficult part is to start obeying them NOW!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
Health: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long's parents, Teli's family, Logan and the newly born Stella who weighed less than 2 lbs.
Spiritual uplifting: Gail, Mary
Restoration of faith: Al, John
Support: Haiti, Chile, those cleaning up the oil spills in the gulf and those who lost their livelihood there. Pray too, for our country's leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.