Monday, April 22, 2024 – Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 90 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 42,” The Law Repeated”

1. How does Deuteronomy 30 and Psalm 90 address the enigmatic passage found in Deuteronomy 29:29?

2. What do we see from Moses as he presents the climax of the gospel in his discourse? Deuteronomy 30

3. “How Long?” (Psalm 90:13), why is this question so important to the Israelites? To us, today? To you?

4. In Psalm 90:4 we see a contrast between God’s eternal nature and the brevity of ours. How does this contrast affect your perspective on faithfulness, patience, endurance, and/or trust in God?

The discourse of Moses in Deuteronomy, prior to chapter 30, portrayed a devastating image of the condition of Israel and the land they were in. As we study ch. 30, we see a transition filled with hope; from devastation to restoration. We see the word “shuwb” repeated over and over again. We are called to “shuwb” (turn/return) from among the nations and to “shuwb” (return) to the Lord our God. (Deut 30:1-2). The Lord promises to “shuwb” (return) the Israelites from captivity, and to “shuwb” (return) them from wherever they were scattered. (Deut 30:3) The Lord offers to transform our hearts and the hearts of our offspring with a promise of love and life! (Deut 30:6) We will “shuwb” (return) to the Lord, and the Lord will “shuwb” (return) to rejoice over us. (Deut 30: 8-9) The Lord rejoices as you “shuwb: (turn/return) to Him with all your heart and soul. (Deut 30:10) Let us “shuwb” to the Lord and experience the circumcision of our hearts.

Our earthly lives are temporary and short in length. (Psa. 90) We shouldn’t waste any time. (Psa. 90:12) What are we waiting for? Let us “shuwb” to the Lord at this very hour. Psalm 90:8 You spread out our sins before you– our secret sins– and you see them all. (NLT) After reading verse 8, do we say Amen? Or do we say Ouch?

“Some of you are thinking, “My sins are too great. Surely God cannot forgive me.” God’s grace is so abundant that it not only takes care of that sin but it also covers all the others you forgot about. God’s grace can take care of every facet of your sin. But we cannot enjoy God’s cleansing without confession.” Kidder, S. Joseph. Journey to the Heart of God (p. 27)

Shuwb! Turn! turn back to Him, repent, and He will restore you! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)

My prayer today: Psalm 90:16-17. Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! (NLT) Philippians 1:6. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (NLT) ~Amen