Scripture:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14, 19-20 ESV
[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.
[19] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, [20] loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Observation:
As GOD’S chosen, people were getting ready to cross over the Jordan River. Moses had to address them and explain that what was being asked of them was not difficult. It was not out of reach. It was not something that they had to go get or have someone bring to them. The LORD had placed it right in front of them for all to see. It was easy to obtain. It was very near to them on their lips and in their heart. So that it could be done. However, it was a choice. A choice that had to be made. It’s not something GOD was forcing them to do. The choice was simple do you want to live or not? If you want to live, this is how, and if you want to die, the path is laid out before you. It’s really about what you want. If you want blessings, here is how to get them, and if you want curses, they can be obtained as well. What you want you will get. It was all in their hands. Obeying the voice of the LORD was the key. He had spoken to them, clearly crossing over the Jordan was the fork in the road.
Application:
Have you ever noticed that right before any major point in your life, there is a clear spot where a decision has to be made? I’m here to tell you. The Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman. HE never forces you to do anything. What you want to do, you will. The fact is we make the wrong choices and the right choices. Each choice we make has a consequence, whether good or bad. It’s the truth. If you want blessings, they are available for you, and if you don’t, that’s possible as well. It’s all about your choices. I know that seems like a hard pill to swallow. But it seems to be laid out right here. Let me put it to you this way. The LORD can not make you love HIM, and if HE did, what would it mean? Well, to be honest, it wouldn’t mean anything. Because it would be something HE did, not a choice you have made, and that brings me to a point. Love is a choice. It’s not a feeling you can’t control. It’s something you choose to do. When you love the LORD, it will be seen in the choices you make. Now, that’s not to say you won’t still make bad choices. However, what happens after the bad choices is what makes the difference. The Bible says a righteous man falls 7 times, but he gets up 8. We will have times in our lives when we make the wrong choice. But what do we do about it? Do we stay there, or do we get back up? Our life is a pathway of choices, and those choices will lead us one way or another. It’s honestly how our faith is tested. The choice that is laid out before us, in a sense, is GOD’S way of saying… do you love me? The amazing thing is that GOD has made a way. HE never gives up on us. HIS grace is so amazing that HE will bring us back to the same spot over and over again… until we find it in our hearts to choose life. Listen, y’all, GOD wants our love because HE loves us. HIS love runs much deeper than ours. Making the right choices in life is how we show our love for HIM. I have to say this, and then I will close. If you are on the heels of a bad choice. It’s never too late. You can turn it around right now. The Bible says that the LORD will not start something that HE does not finish. If HE has started a work in you, HE will see it through to the end. That’s what grace is. Repent, get back on track, and love the LORD with all your heart. Choose life.
Prayer:
Father, you are good, and your plan is good. You know the choices we have made the ones that lead to life and also the ones that lead to death. We want to thank you for your grace and mercy. Help us to make the right choices so that we can experience the fullness of what you have to offer. We do love you and hope that you forgive us where we have failed you. Because we know we do. We want our lives to reflect the fact that we love you. Please clear a path so that they can. We choose life. We choose you. Set us on the track for that to be reflected. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray amen.