February 10, 2020
For full passage click: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 … “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…” vs. 19
Toward the conclusion of Deuteronomy, at the point of Israel’s entry into the land of the Canaanites, Moses challenges the people to live according to the law. They have a clear choice, they can either obey the commandments of God or they can become idolaters and follow other gods. Obedience will bring life and blessings, idolatry would bring death and curses. He implores them to choose life! In 1845, the abolitionist James Russell Lowell expressed the same sentiments in a poem he wrote concerning slavery. “Once to every man and nation. Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth and falsehood, For the good or evil side.” Lowell is right. There is a time in each of our lives when we have to make up our minds who we are going to serve. Moses implies that the choice is clear-cut–it’s either life or death. In reality that’s not how things work; the life choice will be neither clear nor obvious, at least not for the person having to make the decision. Often we will have advisors, parents or friends who will tell us clearly what we need to do. But the decision really doesn’t belong to them–it’s our choice, and sometimes we make massive mistakes. In those moments it’s a blessing to have a Savior who specializes in restoration!
Thought for the Day: The most momentous choice I’ve ever made.
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