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
As the people of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses warned them of what would happen if they turned from the LORD, and then in the verses above Moses proclaimed the blessings of repentance – turning away from the world and returning to the LORD. Yet time and again the people of Israel abandoned God.
I think this quote from D.L. Moody describes the people of Israel and many of us well –
‘When a man is not deeply convicted of sin, it is a pretty sure sign that he has not truly repented. Experience has taught me that men who have very slight conviction of sin sooner or later lapse back into their old life.”
Dwight A Moody
I remember talking with my oldest son years ago. I don’t remember the circumstances, but I was again apologizing for something I did or said when Zach challenged my repentance as less than authentic. He said something like you can say you’re sorry, but at some point, things have to change. In other words, my words fell short because of my actions.
The LORD wants to restore us as the people of Israel. The question is is our conviction slight or deep?
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