Chorus of Confession
(Deuteronomy 31:1-8, 14-30; 32:1-47)
Psalm of Moses
Artist Unknown
Moses knew that his earthly life was coming to an end. It was time to pass leadership on to the one the Lord had appointed as his successor, Joshua son of Nun.
Jump-Starting Joshua
In Hebrew literature, repetition is often used as a literary device to add emphatic meaning to a passage. This is particularly evident in the Old Testament Scriptures.
How many times do we read the following phrase, either verbatim or paraphrased?
“Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you."
(Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV – emphasis added)
God’s admonition and promise are clear, and they hold fast. In subsequent Bible readings, we will see evidence of this. Surely, the Lord’s powerful Presence held Joshua and all those who would call upon Him in earnest and honest faith.
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.”
The Psalm of Moses
Commissioning Joshua as his successor to lead the people of God into the Promised Land, Moses offers a prayer of confession and commitment to the Lord. This Mosaic psalm presents a pattern of prayer for us all. Moses traces the faithfulness of God, repents for the unfaithfulness of God’s people, prophesies of blessings and curses to come, and testifies to the power and promises of the Lord. Surely, this cycle prepared the people to enter the Promised Land in the power of the Lord.
This model of prayer can be an excellent tool for any who wish to seek personal, corporate or even national revival. And who among us would not?
How we love to crow in Christian circles about our desire for a mighty outpouring of the Lord’s power upon our families, our churches and our countries. Do we truly understand the cost that precedes a true revival? What must come first, except an epidemic of broken hearts, as each of us falls prostrate before the Lord to confess our own sins and those of our people?
Are we willing to experience this bounty of brokenness, which opens the door for the Lord to bring His fire of change into our midst? May the Lord grant us the humility and hearts to pray it be so.
Will you pray with me?
Great, glorious God,
Ruler of the universe and beyond,
Help us to grasp how mighty You are.
Break our hearts over the sin
We have harbored within.
Shine Your light of truth
Upon our spirits,
Revealing any secrets
We have attempted
To hide
From your all-seeing eyes.
Surely, nothing is hidden from You.
We long to know You more each day.
Plant in us
An insatiable desire
To pray for those
Who do not yet know You.
Humble our hearts,
And urge us to confess
All that blocks Your blessing
In our lives
And in the lives of those we love.
Turn our families to You.
Turn our nations to You.
Prepare us
For Your mighty winds of revival
For Your Name’s sake.
Amen.
Blessings Linda and Happy Lord's Day...
ReplyDeleteYou have been doing such a wonderful, inspirational writings daily as you read thru the Chronological Bible Reading Plan! I realize I should comment on the "Chorus of Confession" but I've chosen to not "blog" during these 40 days, however I usually read the blogs I follow through Google Reader, if I've spent my Time with God & ministry first.
I noticed on your Mane Point you have RSS but could not find it here. The problem is that in Google Reader, some of the blogs, I receive the entire posts and others like yours, I only get the Title & an ad usually.
I did not subscribe to the others that I receive all of their post, so I don't understand why...and I don't even know how to set a blog up for RSS but since you have it at Mane Point, you must know. I did not find an email or I would have written you an email.
I appreciate so much all the work you are putting into this faithful WRITING! I imagine you plan to compile these as a book! They are so excellent vignettes & they help me so much to see scriptures with a better understanding or a ste concept! I do not understand why others are not commenting but I pray that more would come, read & grow through the power of your insights! God bless you & the beautiful prayers & writings you are writing from your heart...truly a ready writer!