“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
I just read this recently as I was on my “Journey through the Bible” in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT. Of course, this is a portion of Scripture that records instructions for God’s people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Yet, what struck me as I read this pronouncement from Moses is it applied so well to me and to you as His children today. This is one of the reasons that we have His Word, to instruct and guide us in this life. You see, in the preceding verses, God has instructed them as to what and how they are to do things. They are provided clear and understandable instructions as to do this and what will happen if they obey. If you don’t do this then this will happen. There was no obscurity in what God said, it was clear and distinct.
What struck me was that we have a choice to make every day, too. They had specific instructions as to what they could and could not do and so do we. The 10 Commandments for example were given to them yet throughout history we have known that they are a guiding principle as to how life should be lived. We see it even in cultures that were or are not Christian. The Bible and the Christian faith were very much a part of the fabric for the nation in which we live today.
Yes, God’s people would abandon their relationship with God and that would cause God to abandon them as they abandoned Him. If we pause on that thought for a moment, has this nation abandoned God and caused God to abandon us? Now, none of us want to even consider that possibility but think about it for a moment.
As I talk with people today, I hear repeatedly that they believe we are in the last days. I agree and have eluded to that in previous blogs. None of us know how much more time is on the clock. I wrote about that earlier this year. That moment when God will tell His Son Jesus to go get His bride, the church for which He died and rose again to save. Here is the link to that blog "How much time is on the clock?" if you would like to read more on the subject.
In the meantime, there is always an opportunity to repent. To turn from our evil ways and return to God. A time for a spiritual revival. A time to cast off the lostness and cling again to the One who saved us. It must start in the heart and life of the individual. The only hope for this country and for this world is Jesus Christ.
I don’t live my life in fear of what might happen. Like you, I plan and prepare for things and then act accordingly so that the plans work out. My first plan though is to follow the Lord and His direction in my life.
What was it that Moses said? “Today have given you choice between life and death“. I choose life in Christ Jesus my Lord. Between blessings and curses by following the instructions of His Word and leadership of His Holy Spirit which abides in me. I am loving and obeying the Lord who is blessing me each day.
Much of what we read in Scripture is a historical accounting of man and his interactions with God. They are intended for us to read and to learn from so that our life might be all that God wants for us. When we do then God can and will bless us.
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
Comments