What a beautiful Easter Sunday. Today’s reading finds us in Deuteronomy chapters 30-31. And I love how the headings on my Bible app go along so perfectly with Today’s Chapters.
We start with “A Call to Return to the Lord”. And isn’t that what today is about. Remembering the Ultimate Sacrifice of our Savior and in that it pulls our hearts closer to him. Most of the time we think of today as an opportunity to preach a message of Salvation, reaching the lost, usually for those that show up for their yearly service. But today as I read our Chapters my heart was stirred for those of us who are saved and serving him but our fire is smoldering or almost out. Today is a call to “return “ to him. That implies those that know him or knew him but may have drifted away or no longer burn for him as we once did.
And we have been given the choice of life or death. I love that verse 11 in Chapter 30 points out that it is not too hard or beyond our reach. It is in us, on our lips and in our hearts so that we can obey it. But its ultimately up to us, it’s our choice.
As we read Chapter 31 it gets a little tense. Moses is talking about his death and how he will not cross the Jordan with them. But he tells them God will go before them and will be with them. They will surely see the promise and walk in it. And then God predicts Israel’s disobedience.
God knew that after they stepped into the promise that they would once again turn from him and rebel. They would worship idols and break covenant with him. But he still did it. He still made a way and still honored the covenant even knowing what was to come. Sound familiar…
Yep. Jesus knew as he hung on that cross that we would betray him again an again. He felt every sin, knew every heartache as he hung there that day..And yet he still chose to die for our sins.
And He still calls. He still draws. He still makes a way back.
That’s what makes today so powerful. Easter isn’t just a one time invitation to salvation it’s an ongoing invitation to return. To come back to the place where the fire burns again. Where our hearts are fully His again. He knew we would need more than just a moment.
He knew we would need mercy again and again. And just like in Deuteronomy, the choice is still in front of us today. Life or death. Return or remain where we are.
He didn’t make it complicated.
It’s not too far out of reach. It’s right here in our hearts, on our lips.
Today, I’m choosing to return. Not because I have to but because He made a way for me to.
And maybe that’s the real message of Easter.
Not just that He died and rose again but that no matter how many times we drift,we can always come back.
Love Pastor Mandy
Ark of Hope Ministry
Daily reading Deuteronomy 30-31
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