Old Testament | Deuteronomy 30:9-14 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Sooner Count the Stars by Doug Plank, Steve Cook, and Vikki Cook

Lyrics:
I could sooner count the stars
Than number all Your ways
Though I only know in part
That part exceeds all praise
As sunlight fills the skies
Your goodness fills my life
For all Your precious gifts
Receive my gratefulness

I could sooner drink the seas
Than fathom all Your love
Like a never ceasing stream
Are mercies through Your Son
The death of Christ alone
Deserves eternal song
For such a love as His
Receive my gratefulness

No praise is high enough no thanks is deep enough
No life is long enough to tell of all You've done
No shout is loud enough no words are strong enough
No song is sweet enough to sing Your love

I could sooner turn back time
Than turn Your heart away
Though the years go fleeting by
Your mercies never change
Before You made the sun
Your love was set on us
For all Your faithfulness
Receive my gratefulness

Passage:
9 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
(Deuteronomy 30:9–14 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Bless the Lord, My Soul by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes:
A contribution to the Taizé tradition, this tune by Berthier provides a reverent foundation for the text: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer