Choosing Life
Week 2 Day 3
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 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, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 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, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Moses presents the Israelites with a crucial choice between life and death. This passage encapsulates the overarching theme of the book of Deuteronomy, which is the importance of making life-giving decisions that align with God's commandments.
The choice between life and death is framed within the context of obedience to God's laws. Moses admonishes the Israelites to choose life by loving the Lord, obeying His voice, and clinging to Him. Conversely, the path of disobedience will lead to death and destruction.
There is a fundamental principle that sin and rebellion against God result in spiritual death and separation from Him. However, righteousness and obedience lead to life and blessing. The consequences of the Israelites' choices are clear: prosperity and longevity for those who walk in God's ways, but curses and destruction for those who turn away from Him.
Once, a man found himself disoriented in the vast desert, his throat parched from hours of aimless wandering. As he scanned the horizon in desperation, a small shack caught his eye in the distance. Summoning his dwindling strength, he stumbled towards the shack, where he discovered a water pump accompanied by a modest jug of water and a note.
He unfolded the note and read, "Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it. By doing so, you will have an abundance of water." Faced with a critical decision, the man weighed his options. Trusting the note meant risking disappointment and potential peril, yet drinking the immediate but limited supply in the jug offered no guarantee of survival.
After careful consideration, he embraced the gamble. Pouring every drop of water into the pump, he grasped the handle with trembling hands. At first, only silence greeted his efforts, fueling his apprehension. But with resolve, he persisted, and to his immense relief, a torrent of water burst forth. It flowed abundantly, quenching his thirst, refreshing his weary body, and filling his containers to the brim. Grateful, he dutifully refilled the jug as instructed, adding a note of encouragement, "Please, prime the pump. Believe me, it works!”
We make choices every day between life and death—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Just as the Israelites were called to obedience, we are called to align our decisions with God's will and His commandments. Choosing life entails prioritizing our relationship with God, seeking His guidance, and living in accordance with His principles of love and justice.
“Choose life that you may live…” Let’s prime the pump.
The choice between life and death is framed within the context of obedience to God's laws. Moses admonishes the Israelites to choose life by loving the Lord, obeying His voice, and clinging to Him. Conversely, the path of disobedience will lead to death and destruction.
There is a fundamental principle that sin and rebellion against God result in spiritual death and separation from Him. However, righteousness and obedience lead to life and blessing. The consequences of the Israelites' choices are clear: prosperity and longevity for those who walk in God's ways, but curses and destruction for those who turn away from Him.
Once, a man found himself disoriented in the vast desert, his throat parched from hours of aimless wandering. As he scanned the horizon in desperation, a small shack caught his eye in the distance. Summoning his dwindling strength, he stumbled towards the shack, where he discovered a water pump accompanied by a modest jug of water and a note.
He unfolded the note and read, "Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it. By doing so, you will have an abundance of water." Faced with a critical decision, the man weighed his options. Trusting the note meant risking disappointment and potential peril, yet drinking the immediate but limited supply in the jug offered no guarantee of survival.
After careful consideration, he embraced the gamble. Pouring every drop of water into the pump, he grasped the handle with trembling hands. At first, only silence greeted his efforts, fueling his apprehension. But with resolve, he persisted, and to his immense relief, a torrent of water burst forth. It flowed abundantly, quenching his thirst, refreshing his weary body, and filling his containers to the brim. Grateful, he dutifully refilled the jug as instructed, adding a note of encouragement, "Please, prime the pump. Believe me, it works!”
We make choices every day between life and death—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Just as the Israelites were called to obedience, we are called to align our decisions with God's will and His commandments. Choosing life entails prioritizing our relationship with God, seeking His guidance, and living in accordance with His principles of love and justice.
“Choose life that you may live…” Let’s prime the pump.
Reflection and Prayer
How can we discern between life-giving and life-draining choices in our daily lives?
What steps can we take to prioritize obedience to God's commandments and choose life in our decision-making?
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of choice and the freedom to choose life through obedience to Your commandments. Help us to discern Your will and make decisions that lead to life and blessing. Give us the strength to resist temptation and walk in righteousness, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. May our lives be a testimony to Your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
What steps can we take to prioritize obedience to God's commandments and choose life in our decision-making?
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of choice and the freedom to choose life through obedience to Your commandments. Help us to discern Your will and make decisions that lead to life and blessing. Give us the strength to resist temptation and walk in righteousness, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. May our lives be a testimony to Your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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