THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 27-30
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
God is not threatening His people with terrible suffering if they disobey Him.
He is warning them of what life is like without God, how life naturally degenerates.
Remember, this is the Mosaic Law, the temporary arrangement with Israel before the Messiah comes.
But the underlying idea remains valid: life without God leads to darkness and death.
We make choices every day; God made us to free to choose, for better or worse.
Every choice we make leans us towards good or bad, towards hope or despair, life or death.
Many choices we make are small, but some are huge, with huge consequences.
Think of some of your major choices in life, and think of their consequences.
God is urging the people then, and us today, to THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT OUR CHOICES.
Jesus came to show us the better way, the way out of darkness into light.
He saves us from the consequences of the curse, but He also frees us from its power.
With the Spirit’s help, we can change the direction of our choices… we can choose life.
What choices will you face today, will you make those choices with Jesus, like Jesus, for Jesus?
Jesus presents us a life of color and blessing, hope and peace – will we prefer to languish in the dark?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, my choices everyday draw me closer to – or further – from You. Help me to see that choosing You, and choosing Your Way, as hard as it may be, is the way to LIFE.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Do this and live. This is what the Master said.
Live and do this.
Obey the Word of the Lord, rejoicing in the presence of the Lord for the Lord God is your strength.
I am reminded of the days of Joshua – choose this day whom you we serve – but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Walking in His Way and in His SonShine.
Each and every day I need to dress myself with the armour of God to prepare myself for the activities of each day so that others my see that I live for Jesus.
Choose LIFE.
Live in His WORD this day.
He has promised to be our Father to lead and guide us if we but follow His voice saying – This is the way. Walk in it. That I must do – walk in His Way putting my small hand in His Hand as He continues to lead me and guide me in the Way I need to walk. I am always in His presence – in His LIGHT.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.