Time to pack up! If you have been reading these past few posts you know that we have spent quite a few days camped in Deuteronomy 30, but now it is time to wrap this book of the Bible up. We only have a few more chapters to go. No matter the reason, if you have joined me on this journey, this is not the end. I believe that as this book of the law draws to a close, we will begin to walk into much more freedom than any of us have ever experienced and it is only beginning. I know I have a tendency to be melodramatic. I know I also tend to speak very passionately about whatever God is burning on my heart. Here's the thing though - God's Word is true. If you have been reading with expectancy for change, let's believe it is coming. We chose to seek Him and He showed up. We chose to listen and He spoke. We chose change and He started in our hearts. As these 40 days begin to dwindle, may we be encouraged by Philippians 1:6 that says that we can be "confident that He who began a good work in each of us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Now let's dive into Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or just click here.
1. You have two options.
"See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."
The Israelites knew where they were coming from. They heard the stories of their ancestors being enslaved in Egypt. They knew of the trials in the desert. They also knew that God was their Deliverer and Sustainer. They also knew that without God , they were destined to be destroyed. They could choose life and prosperity or death and destruction.
2. Choose death.
"But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess."
The Israelites had disobedient hearts in their heritage. They could have very easily follow in the footsteps of their parents and their parents' parents'. All they had to do was let their hearts turn away from God. Here we see the importance of the heart. If their love grew cold for the Lord, their heart could easily turn away from the one God and turn toward other gods. They had to protect their hearts to protect their lives.
3. Choose life.
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
The Israelites had a choice to make. Here we see the call to action:NOW CHOOSE LIFE. Is there really any better option? God's people have to choose to trust and obey so that they will accept the gift and inheritance He is holding out before them. The land is there for the taking. The blessings are there to receive. They just have to maek the right choice.
When we consider both scenarios personally, let us imagine which we would rather like to see become a reality in our own lives. Our heart turns away, we become disobedient, and we are drawn to bow down and worship other gods. We love the Lord, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him. I believe it a choice we must make. Will we choose life or choose death?
Long ago, I chose God but I didn't choose to walk in ALL His ways. I found myself on a road that led to death and destruction. I was not concerned with this temple He had given me and I was bowing down to other gods, namely food. My addiction is not an uncommon one. There are many of us who struggle, if not with food, something else. We just think it's too hard to change. We think it's too hard to choose. I chose to accept this 40 day challenge and God changed my mind. I made a choice in the right direction and He helped me take the steps I needed to take in order to change. This process has only begun but I can confidently say that the transformation has already been happening from the inside out. Now, I know I can choose life and God will help me fight the battles I need to fight. I realize it is so much easier said than done. I teeter tottered for my entire life. Like I said, I chose God but I wasn't choosing His blessings. I chose God but I wasn't walking in the ways that led to life abundant with Him on Earth AND in heaven. Now, I choose life.
Father, thank you for helping me change. Thank you for giving me the desire to choose You so that You could help me make decisions that lead to change. I want to be leave the old ways behind me. I want to live apart from my sin and addictions. I lay the old self at Your feet and humbly ask that You will continue to change me. Thank you for the transformation that has already begun. Give me the perseverance to press on and live more abundantly that ever imagined possible. I love You. Amen.
Now Choose Life.
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