Tuesday, 6 April 2021
Deuteronomy 4:25-40
“But from there you will seek the LORD, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.” -Deuteronomy 4:29
Moses gives a series of exhortations to the people of Israel readying themselves to cross the Jordan and settle in the Promised Land. He lays emphasis on their commitment to the Lord who had brought them from Egypt with miraculous signs, cautioning to stay off from idol worship. Moses reminds them of God’s choice of them as a nation and the covenant He made with their forefathers. They were to remain faithful to Him if they desired to experience His blessing in the land.
Besides, Moses warns the people of Israel that they would be scattered if they failed to keep the covenant and worship foreign gods. Yet God is merciful and will not abandon them if they return to Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 is a promise given to the Israelites, that they will find Him if their search is genuine—with all their hearts and minds.
God always wants to reveal Himself to a person who seeks the truth. The Creator’s heart constantly reaches out to His creation. He is compassionate and merciful. We see in Luke 15, a faithful father welcoming and accepting a prodigal son. Likewise, our heavenly Father is longsuffering and always willing to receive and accept any backsliding soul— if returning to Him with repentance. He unconditionally forgives that person and accepts him back into fellowship.
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” He is a jealous God and consuming fire too (Deuteronomy 4:24). He is intolerant to sin and His wrath is against those who continue in rebellion to Him and His commands. Fire consumes only that which is fuel for it. Similarly, the wrath of God grips only those who by their own sin have fitted themselves for destruction.
The Ten Commandments were God’s standard for right living. We can see throughout the Old Testament, how each commandment was broken by His own people. Also, we read of the tragic consequences faced by individuals and society as a result of violating God’s laws. In the midst of a fallen world, the Lord has given us hope through His Son Jesus Christ. A wise man who turns away from the ways of the wicked, finds an escape from the wrath of God through Christ. Job 28:28 [NLT] says: ‘…The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’
Our acts of service and worship should arise from sincere devotion of the heart. The Psalmist says: “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts” (Psalm 51:6). Dear friend, Jesus Christ, the Savior is still willing to be gracious even though your conduct is loathsome – provided true repentance comes from you and you turn to Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Will you accept His rescue plan today?
Revelation 3:20 extends a personal call from Jesus, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.”
Think on it: Love extended toward us by our Father in heaven is not dependant on our performance but our proximity with Him.
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