“You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul, you will find Him.” – Deuteronomy 4:29
The Book of Deuteronomy contains Moses’ last sermons and prophesies about Israel’s future. For forty years, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land. Reflecting on the nation’s past mistakes, Moses urged the Israelites not to repeat their sins when they enter the Promised Land.
Moses’ sermons encouraged obedience by reassuring the Israelites of God’s faithfulness and His power to keep His promises. God is still faithful, despite Israel’s persistent sin; He is merciful for the sake of His promises to Abraham.
The purpose of Deuteronomy is to challenge and exhort the Israelites to total devotion to the Lord within a renewed covenant relationship.
Many of us make resolutions at the start of every new year. We may create goals to lose weight, exercise more, be less negative, spend less time on social media, or save money.
Research has shown time and again that only a small fraction of people who create new year’s resolutions see them to fruition.
We are creatures of habit.
Our intentions are noble, but we quickly fall into familiar patterns.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Much like the Israelites, we rotate through seasons of renewed vigor and dedication, then quickly revert to old ways of idolatry and sin.
Despite the Israelites cycles of rebellion, God remained faithful. He was in their midst, ready and willing to forgive and move forward.
All the Israelites had to do was to seek Him.
“You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul, you will find Him.”
What a mighty promise we have.
No matter how many times we stumble, no matter how many times we go astray, we have the opportunity to search for our God again. And through sincere repentance, we have the opportunity to find Him.
God is elated to recognize prodigals returning to their Father.
As we begin a new year, if the resolution on your heart has been to renew your relationship with the Lord, I pray that you will do so without fear, without hesitation, without abandon.
God desires to renew His covenant with any son or daughter who has been in a season of rebellion, isolation, sorrow, stress, or wandering.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
Wishing you many blessings as we begin a new year together.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)