Continuing our ‘Devoted’ series, David called us to consider the need for renewal in our relationship with God. He began by looking at the Methodist covenant prayer, asking: “Could you say this prayer today?”
I AM NO LONGER MY OWN BUT YOURS.
PUT ME TO WHAT YOU WILL,
RANK ME WITH WHOM YOU WILL;
PUT ME TO DOING, PUT ME TO SUFFERING;
LET ME BE EMPLOYED FOR YOU OR LAID ASIDE FOR YOU,
EXALTED FOR YOU OR BROUGHT LOW FOR YOU;
LET ME BE FULL, LET ME BE EMPTY,
LET ME HAVE ALL THINGS, LET ME HAVE NOTHING;
I FREELY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY YIELD ALL THINGS TO YOUR PLEASURE AND DISPOSAL.
AND NOW, GLORIOUS AND BLESSED GOD,
FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT,
YOU ARE MINE AND I AM YOURS.
SO BE IT.
AND THE COVENANT MADE ON EARTH,
LET IT BE RATIFIED IN HEAVEN. AMEN.
In Deuteronomy 29:1-14, Moses called the Israelites to renew their covenant relationship with God…
“YOU ARE STANDING HERE IN ORDER TO ENTER INTO A COVENANT WITH THE LORD YOUR GOD, A COVENANT THE LORD IS MAKING WITH YOU THIS DAY AND SEALING WITH AN OATH, TO CONFIRM YOU THIS DAY AS HIS PEOPLE, THAT HE MAY BE YOUR GOD AS HE PROMISED YOU AND AS HE SWORE TO YOUR FATHERS, ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB.”
The Israelites were prone to wander, compromise and disobey God’s ways, turning from their covenant relationship with God. We too are like the Israelites. Although we have a new covenant relationship with God through Jesus, we still drift, and all too easily take for granted the freedom and forgiveness we have in Jesus. Do you need to ‘press reset’ on your relationship with God? Do you need to reconsider all that God has done, and recommit your life to Him?
Based on Deuteronomy, David gave us three ways to examine our hearts and recommit our lives to God; three ways to reset.
1. Recall what God has done
Throughout our devoted series, there has been a clear theme of looking back in times of difficulty to recall all the good that God has done. Moses called the Israelites to remember how God had rescued them from Egypt:
“YOUR EYES HAVE SEEN ALL THAT THE LORD DID IN EGYPT TO PHARAOH, TO ALL HIS OFFICIALS AND TO ALL HIS LAND."
However, Moses continues to reveal the danger of becoming complacent and taking for granted all that God has done.
“WITH YOUR OWN EYES YOU SAW THOSE GREAT TRIALS, THOSE MIRACULOUS SIGNS AND GREAT WONDERS. BUT TO THIS DAY, THE LORD HAS NOT GIVEN YOU A MIND THAT UNDERSTANDS OR EYES THAT SEE OR EARS THAT HEAR.”
The Israelites chose to ignore all that God had done, and God confirmed their choice, so that they had ‘eyes that could not see’. Let’s take this as a call to look back and remember what God has done, and to be aware of the danger of becoming complacent.
2) Recall what God has provided
“DURING THE FORTY YEARS THAT I LED YOU THROUGH THE DESERT, YOUR CLOTHES DID NOT WEAR OUT, NOR DID THE SANDALS ON YOUR FEET.”
Moses reminded the Israelites of all that God provided during the difficulties in the desert. Amidst difficult seasons in life, let’s remember how God provided in the past, and that He will do the same today and in the future. Even when we can’t see it, or feel it, God is faithful in His provision for us. He has promised never to leave or forsake us.
3) Recall what God has won
In verses 7-8 Moses recalls the battles that God had won for the Israelites. He then follows this with a command to follow God’s ways and choose obedience.
“CAREFULLY FOLLOW THE TERMS OF THIS COVENANT, SO YOU MAY PROSPER IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.”
God has won the ultimate battle over sin and death, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Let’s hold onto this victory, remembering that no matter what battles we encounter in our lives on earth, God holds the final victory.
When we recall what God has done, what He has provided and what He has won, let that lead us into a renewed commitment to follow His ways. Let’s remember our new covenant relationship with God, that we are saved by grace. Do you need to accept that grace afresh today? Is it time to ‘press reset’ in your relationship with God?
- Spend some time recalling what God has done, what He has provided and what He has won.
- Use the words of the Methodist covenant prayer (as written above) to renew your commitment to God.
- Use the words of ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ to sing your renewed commitment to God.
O TO GRACE HOW GREAT A DEBTOR
DAILY I’M CONSTRAINED TO BE!
LET THY GOODNESS, LIKE A FETTER,
BIND MY WANDERING HEART TO THEE:
PRONE TO WANDER, LORD, I FEEL IT,
PRONE TO LEAVE THE GOD I LOVE;
HERE’S MY HEART, O TAKE AND SEAL IT;
SEAL IT FOR THY COURTS ABOVE.
