Choose Life

In my quiet time today I came to Deuteronomy 30. It has to be one of my favourite chapters in the Bible. Moses has previously been going through the various blessings and curses that will fall on the people of Israel when they obey or disobey the Lord's commands. The beginning of chapter 30 assumes the people will turn away from the Lord and what will happen when they return to the Lord. As my Bible notes (from the Good Book Company) said:

"Even if they are scattered, if they return to God, He will gather them again and bless them again."

It's wonderful! I was so blessed by thinking about how it is never too late to turn back to God. God is so loving and merciful and faithful to His promises.

The second half of the chapter talks about a choice. Basically it is the choice to obey or disobey God. Wonderfully, it is possible and, indeed, not difficult for us to choose correctly. Look at verses 11-14:

11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor 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, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

and then the choice is clearly spelt out:

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

and finally the choice is re-emphasised:

19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

I pray that I would love the LORD my God, walk in His ways, and keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, and the LORD my God will bless me in the land.

For His glory.