**Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible Footnote: "These verses echo Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (which is similar to Dt 4:29-30)."
Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (verses 1 and 2 added for context): "When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 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 fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers."
Deuteronomy 4:29-30 (verses 27, 28, and 31 added for context): "The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath."
I had returned to the Jeremiah passage one morning last week when I had doubts about a decision I was making in my life. This time I looked at the study notes in my Bible and decided to take the time to look up the Scripture references. After reading the two Deuteronomy passages, I noticed something and thank the Lord for opening my eyes and heart to this reminder of His sovereignty.
"I have banished you..." "...curses I have set before you..." "The LORD will scatter you..."
In each passage it is made very apparent that not only will the Lord plan our steps with blessings, but also with curses, banishment, and scattering. I have many moments in my Christian walk where I fall away from reading the Word and begin serving my own interests. I feel scattered and alienated from my brothers and sisters in Christ. On my heart is the weight of sin...curses. I lose sight of turning to God, but it was always in His plan. I used to find it very tough to look back on those times. I felt it was better to erase it all from my memory. These verses remind me of God's hand in all we do, whether Christ-like or worldly. Besides, He promises:
"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath."
Praise the God of Hope! Amen!
His beautiful mercy washes over us. He is a keeper of promises of old and will be a keeper of promises yet to come!
1 comment:
Our God is so great!
One of my deepest, most pleading times of prayer with the Lord is that He would keep His hand of restraint upon me. I know that I NEED Him to sustain me. I know who I am apart from Him. The reality of sin scares me, yet by grace I know that this is the Lord reminding me that His work in me is not yet finished... and I take comfort in knowing that through it all, He is conforming me to look like Christ, and I rest knowing that our God is a faithful and trustworthy God! :) Nothing can separate us from Him... and He saves us with an everlasting salvation... one day we will fall at His glorious feet in the joys of Heaven to worship Him and enjoy Him eternally! :D What a relief it is to be in JESUS!
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