JUNE 22, 2023 – CHOOSE LIFE

READ: Deut. 30:15-20

… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, … – Deut. 30: 19,20

In Moses’ heartfelt farewell speech, God’s voice can be heard about living with Him. Moses repeatedly presents them with the choice: for or against Him. They cannot dismiss it as something that has passed them by. Now, the people are reminded of it in a very special way.

First, they are told to say “Amen” to both the blessings of covenant obedience and the curses of disobedience and impenitence (27:12-26). On Mount Gerizim, one half of the people are to affirm God’s blessings, and on Mount Ebal, the other half are to affirm God’s curses. By saying “Amen,” they agreed to it. Once again, in chapters 29 and 30, Moses emphasizes the consequences if they do not keep this covenant agreement.

It cannot be clearer. Yet in our passage, Moses takes it a step further. The choice was and is the good (vs. 15) with God’s blessing and life, or the evil with God’s curse and death. Moses now makes it clear that there is only one choice that is good and pleasing to the Lord: choose life! That choice also has consequences for their children. Making that choice requires grace and faith and is not their own merit. It is a requirement of God’s covenant.

We also need Christ’s Spirit for that same choice. We need to take refuge in Christ’s blood and to hold onto God’s Word in His strength and to serve God according to His demands. Let’s pray for insight into making the right choice and modeling it for our children. And let’s pray sincerely for forgiveness. Then we can be assured of God’s blessing.

How do you deal with the choice Moses presents?

Singing: Ps. 103:6