Deuteronomy 30:1-10: God's Mercy

"And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you." Deuteronomy 30:1-3

Today is a special day. Do you know why? Well, it's because you get two daily devotionals. That's right--you get a double dose of daily biblical encouragement. I hope you're excited; I know I am.

Remember yesterday's devotion that talked about the punishment that comes from our disobedience? If you didn't read it, I encourage you to turn back and do so, as this devotional won't make any sense without it's earlier counterpart. Nevertheless, let us look this morning at the good news that comes after Deuteronomy 29. However, before we do so, let us pause and realize that God is a God of Good News. He does not leave us in the dust--there is always a reason for hope.

In Deuteronomy 29, we talked about the great punishment and curse that comes from our disobedience. Sounds kind of gloomy and scary, does it not? Surely it does. However, God's Words don't stop there.

In chapter 30, we find God's mercy. We have just learned in the previous chapter about God's judgment upon the sins of his people, but we find here that God is also a merciful God who is willing to forgive his people if they return to him. Read again the verses quoted above. They speak of Israel returning and obeying the Lord after they have been punished for their sin, and in response the Lord restoring them and having great mercy upon their souls. Although they will have endured great punishments because of their sins, the Lord would never forsake them. He would always offer mercy and restoration if his people would return from their sins and repent of their transgressions.

The application here is pretty simple as we realize that the God of the Israelites is the same God that we serve here today. We found yesterday that God is a God of both blessing and curse, but today we find that he is a God of mercy. He will not forever turn his back from his people. Although sin brings loss, God's mercy is more. Although we may temporarily hinder our relationship to our Heavenly Father when we sin, he is always willing to forgive a people who turns from their sins and cries out to his holy name. It sounds insane. It sounds unfair. It sounds outrageous. But it is the truth of the Gospel: that God has mercy on even the worst of sinners.

So, let these words to the Israelites encourage you this morning, that no matter how far into the deep end you have gone, God is still willing to have mercy. Take Paul for example, who was a murderer of those in the Christian church, who ended up repenting of his sins due to the call of the Gospel and being a faithful servant of God (and surely much more!). Don't let the reality of your sin keep you from repenting and running to your Savior. Rather, let the reality of God's mercy cause you to run to a God who has promised to forgive every transgression if you would call upon his name (see Romans 10:13).