Deuteronomy 30:19-20
“This day I call heaven and 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.”
Moses was in the midst of his “upper desert discourse” as some have called it when he pronounces these words. The book of Deuteronomy is a vivid recounting to the people of all that the Lord had done for them in the days of aimless wandering for the past 40 years.
As they stood there listening to this powerful man of God who delivered God’s word to them, they must have been in awe. Over the 40 years the generation of the fighting men who had refused to trust God and possess the “promised land” had died. Only Joshua and Caleb—who had returned with a good report—remained alive to cross over and possess what they had seen 40 years earlier.
Think of all of the miracles that the people witnessed in their deliverance from Egypt. You wonder how they could ever turn their back on God. One of the great miracles that we often overlook is the condition of their attire. After forty years walking in the desert sand, neither their sandals nor their clothing had worn out. How long does the life stay in your clothing and shoes?!
Moses challenges the people to accept the life and blessings that the Lord offers. It was a choice that they needed to make—God’s way or the way of death. It seems impossible that they would choose the way that leads to death, but they did.
We are offered the same option. In Christ we have life and blessings. But there are so many who refuse to go God’s way and instead continue along the path that leads to death. Here is the way Paul sums it up in Romans 6:22-23: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I urge you—choose life!!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil