The Covenant Renewed: Deuteronomy 29 (6)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 33.1-3
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Psalm 33.1-3
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Sing with rejoicing in the Lord, for praise becomes His righteous ones!
With harps and songs raise grateful words, and let new songs of praise be sung!

Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 29.29

Preparation
1. What belongs to the Lord?

2. What belongs to us and our children?

Meditation
God has given us a remarkable gift: His Law, and all His holy Word. How should we receive such a gift? With gratitude, enthusiasm, and every resolve to put it to the use the Giver intends. We note that this gift is a revealed gift; that is, access to it is not available by any other means. Not by science or technology. Not by philosophy or psychology. Not by guesswork, hunches, or strong feeling. The gift of God’s Law comes to us by way of revelation. It is shown to us by God, Who proclaims and explains it to us, and then calls us to receive, hear, observe, and obey all His Word.

The gift God has revealed to us does not show its great value and worth by sitting unopened on some shelf. Or even handsomely displayed on a coffee table. We must open and read, hear and receive, and take to heart and obey all that God speaks to us in His Word. And we must do so daily, continually, and with respect to every aspect of our lives. The more and better we know this Word, the more we will hear God speaking to us from it, showing us Jesus (Jn. 5.39) and guiding us along the path of love for Him and our neighbors.

What God desires of and for us is no secret. He has revealed it. Have at it.

But that doesn’t mean we can know everything. There are plenty of mysteries which we will never, in this life, be able to fathom. And many that will always remain mysteries to us, because we are creatures and God is not. We have to be content for God to know everything, and for us to know what He has revealed.

And what He has revealed to us, we must be sure to pass on to the generations that succeed us, by every possible means.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
In God’s most generous and kind way, He has tried to draw a defining line between what we can’t possibly ever know, and those things we can know and must act upon. Isn’t it sweet the way God lets us know, straight up, that He doesn’t expect the impossible from us? Just the possible. But He also whispers in our ear this precious word: “His secret counsel is with the upright” (Prov. 3.32). And “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91.1). And then this: “when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place” (Matt. 6.6). All these promises of being cared for, and drawn into these places that we can’t understand. But God is there. And we can be there with Him. In His secret place. All He requires is that we do all the words of His Law. (vs.29) “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence…” (Pa. 91.19, 20).

Reflection
1. What would be an example of the “secret things” God has reserved for Himself?

2. What’s the best way to keep on growing in the things that have been revealed by God for us?

3. How can believers help one another continue growing in the things God has revealed?

It is a remarkable passage, and especially deserving of our observation, for by it audacity and excessive curiosity are condemned, whilst pious minds are aroused to be zealous in seeking instruction. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Deuteronomy 29.29

Show me Your will today, Lord, and I will hear, receive, observe, and obey it as I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 33.4-12
Give thanks to God for His Word, His counsel, His guidance in your life, and all His blessings.

Psalm 33.4-12
(Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Joyfully shout! His Word is true; He does His work in faithfulness.
His love prevails the whole world through; the Lord loves truth and righteousness.

God spoke and heaven came to be, and all its hosts His Spirit wrought.
He heaps the waters of the sea; the deeps their dwelling place are taught.

Let all below now fear the Lord; let all in awe of Him abide!
The worlds exist by Jesus’ Word; let all on earth in Him confide.

He nullifies the nations’ plans; forever stands His sov’reign Word.
All they are blessed who with Him stand – the chosen people of the Lord.

T. M. and Susie Moore

Listen to our summary of last week’s study in Deuteronomy by clicking here. You can download all the studies in the series by clicking here. And check out our current ReVision series on encouragement.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: Ancient Christian Commentary Series III, Joseph T. Lienhard, S. J. ed. in collaboration with Ronnie J. Rombs, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001). All quotations from John Calvin from John Calvin, Commentaries on The Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Order of A Harmony, Rev. Charles William Bingham M. A., tr. and ed. (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1863. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).