Deuteronomy 30
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Deuteronomy 30:4-6, Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
God clearly sets the boundaries for his people in this chapter. They know under what conditions they will be blessed and under what conditions they will be cursed. But God also promises that no matter how bad things get, no matter how far they wander or are sent, God will bring them back to this land.
It's interesting and painful for me to read this and know what eventually happens. The people did not follow the covenant. They did rebel against God over and over again. They worshiped other gods, they allowed idolatry and immorality to seep into their everyday lives. And eventually, after many warnings, God lifts his hand of protection and allows them to be conquered and to be spread to distant lands. But just as he promised, they are eventually allowed to return. God's plan of redemption continues; God always keeps his promises.
I read this chapter in Deuteronomy and I can't help but be reminded of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel chapter 37. The people are in Babylon. They've been scattered, just as they are warned in Deut. 30. They are impoverished, hopeless, and feel separated from God. And yet, God promises to bring them back to Jerusalem. Once again, we see God renewing his promise to the people. Yes, you have made a royal mess of things. Yes, I followed through on my warnings. But, I will also keep my promise. I will take the dry bones of your lives and restore them. You will go back to the promised land and I will do something new and improved in my people. I will breathe new life into your old dry bones.
How many of you today need to be reminded that God keeps his promises? How many people need to be reminded that even when things seem hopeless, God has the ability to renew and restore our lives? No matter how far we stray, God wants to bring us back to him.
Let's pray...Almighty God, You are a good God. No matter how much we mess up, you always are ready to restore us and do a new thing in our lives. Lord, breathe new life into us right here, right now. We pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.