Confessions of a Church: Joy in the Word

The Psalm writer wrote:  Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. As we come before a Holy God and hear his word, may we have eyes open to the wonderful and fearful things from his law. May it move us to repent and seek forgiveness, fear disobedience, and live in light of the grace we have received.   This is the word of God.  It is eternally true and applicable for all of life.  

Deuteronomy 31:19-30   19 “Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel. 20 For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant. 21 Then it shall come about, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify before them as a witness (for it shall not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants); for I know their intent which they are developing today, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.” 22 So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the sons of Israel.23 Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”24 It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, 26 “Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the Lord; how much more, then, after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands.”30 Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were complete:

This is the word of the Lord.

I. God commands a song of witness
II. God reiterates Israel's coming apostasy
III. Moses writes and commissions
IV. Moses prophecies of Israel's coming apostasy
V. Moses shares the song of witness with the people

As we gather week after week, hear the preaching of God's Word week after week, hear the calls of repentance week after week, many of you are probably tempted to ask yourselves: "Why does he keep harping on that point? Why is it that, time and again, he reminds us about that particular sin? When will he move on? God's Law feels so burdensome, won't he be done with it already?" For several chapters now we have heard Israel being warned of disobedience, warned of idolatry, warned of curses, and now in this Chapter we hear God make clear yet again that they will fall away.

To be sure, Israel is promised that they will be restored, but this does not negate the fact that they should not continue in sin so that grace will abound ( Romans 6:1,2).

Israel would grow weary of God (Isaiah 43:22), and our weariness is no different. Just as Israel would grow weary and set aside God's Law, so too many in the NT church view God's Law as burdensome, and trade it for teaching which tickles the ear (2 Timothy 4:3).

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
— 1 John 5:1-3

Dear Christian are God's commands burdensome to you?

Do you believe that obedience to God's Law equates to an infringement upon your liberty in Christ?

Have you grown weary of being called to repentance?

Are you tempted to check out, to turn away your ear from listening to the Law (Proverbs 28:9)?

If so, even your prayer is an abomination to God.

Please stand and listen to the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the gospel to his church:
Romans 5:1-6 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

To all those who thus repent and seek Jesus Christ for their salvation, your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lift up your hearts!