Choose the Lord and Choose Life
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NASB)
11 “For this commandment which I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you could say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us, and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you could say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us and get it for us and proclaim it to us, so that we may follow it?’ 14 On the contrary, the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may follow it.
15 “See, I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity, 16 in that I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that you may live and become numerous, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but allow yourself to be led astray and you worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you will certainly perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and take possession of it. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
SUMMARY
Moses tells the Israelites that God’s commands are not too difficult, nor out of reach. On the contrary, God’s word is very near them, in their mouth and in their heart. He tells them that life and prosperity will follow them if Israelites love the Lord, walk in His ways, and keep His commandments and statutes. However, if their hearts turn away and they do not obey, but are drawn away to worship other gods, then death and adversity will follow them until they perish. Therefore, Moses urges them to choose life by loving the Lord their God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
I love how today’s QT passage starts with a verse that is so reassuring and comforting to hear. It says, “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” (Deut. 30:11) This verse right away reminded me of Jesus when he said, “Take my yoke and learn from me…..for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Jesus demands his disciples to take their calling to follow him with such a gentle and humble voice.
Then, why is there so much fear and even some resistance in my heart in following His commands and calling for my life? It is as if in my head I know that God is good and choosing Him will truly bless my life, but in my heart I fear that choosing God alone will lead me to suffering, hardship, trials and misfortune. I choose God, but I also choose family, financial security, good health, career, good reputation and everything else that this world also idolizes. What a hypocrisy. I am so sad and even ashamed how I can even have a thought like this.
Thankfully, God rebukes me with His truth over me. It is enemies’ lies to tell me that I need all the other things besides God to give me life. His message is so clear that it is a form of idol worship and His warning is also so clear that there will be death and adversity if my heart “turns away” and I am “drawn away and worship other gods and serve them.” (Deut. 30:17) What the enemy actually gives me is not prosperity, but an eternal death and adversity. What seems to be fulfilling to pursue after false idols is just a temporary disguise which might satisfy my selfish desires for the moment. God is and should be the sole provider of everything I need in my life. True blessing is to know Him and follow His commands and obey HIm.
APPLICATION
Today’s QT application questions asks me, “would you choose to give up on certain things to choose God, who has given you life?” Wow, this is a pretty demanding and even daring question to answer. But at this point in my life, in this season, as I am discovering His goodness and His provision over and over again displayed in Israelites in Exodus and Deuteronomy, my answer is “YES!” I’ve gained life over death, and blessing over curse by knowing the saving grace of God. I pray and wish I don’t become like Israelites to blame God for bringing them out of Egypt because of the imminent danger and hardship they experienced in the wilderness. How quickly they forgot the work of His hands to deliver them out of slavery and misery in Egypt! Even though it may mean being placed in wilderness in my life time, I will remember His good provision over my life and choose God! Let this be my declaration today as Moses urged, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” (Deut 30:19)
PRAYER
Father, I thank you for giving me such an understanding of your provision through the reading of Deuteronomy. Although you talk about all the horrible consequences of sinning against you with disobedience, I realize that it is because you love us so much and you don’t want us to forsake your love. Lord, please help me rebuke enemy’s lies that make me feel overwhelmed to follow you. You have never demanded, nor have put me on a trial that I wasn’t able to overcome at the end. You are good, and your plans are good for me. There’s nothing to fear but rather, there should be joy and confidence in following your leading. I thank you for establishing a covenant relationship with me. Help me remember your love and also be able to love you back with all my heart, soul, and my mind. But most importantly, help me obey your voice Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray.
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