Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT) “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.”
This is an easy choice. Choosing life above death, blessings above curses. Choosing life is more than a decision to keep on breathing. God’s command to choose life is defined in Deuteronomy 30:16 (NLT) “For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you”
First, “choosing life” involves loving God. Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Secondly “choosing life is obeying God.” Obeying God means to walk in God’s ways. God promises that if we will obey Him, blessings will follow. Just look at these verses that show the connection between God’s BLESSING and obedience:
Joshua 1:8 (NLT) “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Isaiah 1:19 (NLT) “If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.”
We cannot claim to love God without obeying Him and His Word.
Thirdly, Committing yourself to God Job 11:13 (NIRV) “So commit yourself to God completely. Reach out your hands to him for help. 14 Get rid of all of the sin you have. Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent. 15 Then you can face others without feeling any shame. You can stand firm without being afraid. 16 You can be sure you will forget your troubles. They will be like water that has flowed on by. 17 Life will be brighter than the sun at noon. And darkness will become like morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope. You will look around you and find a safe place to rest. 19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.”
Today, a choice is before you, “choose life.” How? ‘By loving God, by obeying God, and by committing yourself to God.’