Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Choices. Every day we have to make choices and our choices create our futures. Have you ever thought about the choices you have made and about where those choices have gotten you? It could be as simple as; Watch TV or go exercise? Play a game with my family or spend time on social media? Take that new job or stay where I feel comfortable? Every day we make choices and with every choice there is a consequence. God has given us free will and the ability to make choices, but there is one choice that He is warning us about.
Today I am giving you a choice. You can choose life and success or death and disaster. I am commanding you to be loyal to the Lord, to live the way he has told you, and to obey his laws and teachings. You are about to cross the Jordan River and take the land that he is giving you. If you obey him, you will live and become successful and powerful. On the other hand, you might choose to disobey the Lord and reject him. So I'm warning you that if you bow down and worship other gods, you won't have long to live. Now I call the sky and the earth to be witnesses that I am offering you this choice. Will you choose for the Lord to make you prosperous and give you a long life? Or will he put you under a curse and kill you? Choose life! Be completely faithful to the Lord your God, love him, and do whatever he tells you. The Lord is the only one who can give life, and he will let you live a long time in the land that he promised to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (CEV)
In these verses, Moses is making a final appeal to Israel. He is reminding the people of the promise of blessings for obedience, or a curse for failure to obey. His message is pretty clear. It’s a decision between life or death. Moses defines it by saying, be faithful, love the Lord your God, walk in obedience to him, keep his commands, decrees, and laws.
Seems pretty obvious to me! God is giving us two choices: one leads to a happy, good life, and the other leads to sadness and trouble. It would seem that choosing “life” would be the best and yet, sometimes we have a hard time making the right choice. Rebelling against God, failing to follow His way and giving in to sin, could destroy us. We have things that pull us away from God or things we put before him. Money, material possessions, addictions, grudges, politics, sports, things that bring us instant gratification pull our hearts, our lives, in the wrong direction and can lead us down the wrong path.
God knows that we will make mistakes, that we will sin, but because of His great love and mercy, there is hope for a new beginning if we decide to live righteously, to choose life! Our sins might be many, but his mercy is more. Choosing life includes loving God with our whole heart, following God’s voice, walking the path that he would have us walk, and keeping God’s commandments. Choosing life would lead us toward the promise of life with God, everlasting life. God wants us to be happy. God is saying. CHOOSE ME!
Questions for Reflection:
- What steps can you take today to more intentionally "choose life" by loving God, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him?
- Do you take the time to pray before you make a decision, big or small?
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for setting before us the path of life and blessings. Open our eyes and help us to choose you every day. Help us to love You and to listen to Your voice. Help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen
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