Packing Lists
When my kids were little, packing my family for any kind of trip sometimes seemed daunting. I wanted to make sure we had everything we needed. I’d write out the lists — for each kid, for my husband, and for myself — plus the toiletries, food items, and extra things we needed to ensure we were prepared. As a loving mama of four little ones, I wanted my people well supplied.
Packing for a more extended trip or even an overseas one could take a long time – and a lot of thought.
In Deuteronomy 31 & 32, God is readying his people to step into the promised land. He’s packing them up. His list, however, is very different from clothes and food, toys and diapers. His list includes exhortation, promises, reading of the word, and a song for repentance. Moses declares to Joshua and all of Israel, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them [the surrounding nations you will conquer],” why? “For, it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake you,” (31:6).
The one item that strikes me the most in this reading, though, is this incredible provision in chapter 32. God gives Moses a song – a song to be learned and never forgotten. It’s a song to pass down from generation to generation. It’s a song declaring who God is, what he has done, and – get this – how to repent. God is providing a way back to himself. As his chosen people stand on the precipice of the promised land, God knows what his people need more than any other supply. They need to know how to turn back to their God once they have run after other gods. What compassion. What mercy. What grace.
What a picture of the gospel.
Hidden in the preparation for the promised land entry, God provides for his people’s deepest need and as he does, the whispers of the gospel sing to our hearts as well.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, “ (Romans 5:8), while we were still sinners, that’s when the payment for our sin was made! Payment for each sin we would ever embrace, fully covered through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
In preparing his children to enter the promised land, God teaches a song to be sung when they need to repent.
He was providing the way to repent and turn back to him then, and still provides the path for us now. When we find ourselves recognizing sin and needing to turn from it – that is his kindness extended. Romans 2:4 reveals, “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” As we walk this journey of life with him, he graciously convicts us of sin. And we have the opportunity to repent. It’s a pretty simple process – God, I confess that was sinful and I repent. I turn.
The sin is already forgiven, but as we turn back to God, forsaking the sin and repenting of it, our fellowship with the Father and our Savior is restored. Walking with God isn’t about living our lives and never sinning again. But it is a journey that includes continual repentance and remembering Jesus’ sacrifice so we can enjoy fellowship with him forever.
