““And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants [that is, He will remove the desire to sin from your heart], so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live [as a recipient of His blessing]…I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore, you shall choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding closely to Him; for He is your life [your good life, your abundant life, your fulfillment] and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord promised (swore) to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””
Deuteronomy 30:6, 19-20 AMP
People that know our family well know that Alathia and I can quote the ENTIRE movie, “Ever After.” It’s annoying and hilarious. The Queen says near the end of the movie, “Choose your words wisely, madam. For they may be your last.” It’s what I thought of when I read today’s passage – it was her voice in my head saying to “choose wisely” my dear.
G-d places a choice before His people, before ME, – life or death, good or evil – and my choice doesn’t just affect me – it affects my children and their children. My choice determines if we will walk in His promises. There is no middle ground. Life and good is tied directly to obedience. Evil and death is tied to directly to disobedience. It seems like a fairly simple formula – until our hearts are distracted and drawn away. Obedience matters. Period.
I’ve been thinking about something my husband said last week that our Pastor repeated during communion on Sunday: “what we behold, we become.” The more we behold Him, the more we become like Him. The more we become like Him, the more we see Him. The more we see Him, the more draw close to Him. The more we draw close to Him, the more we love Him. The more we love Him, the more we obey Him. And the more we obey Him, the more we live a life pleasing to Him. In the end, that’s the key to a good life and it’s what I really want – to live a life pleasing Him.
Father – thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for how You draw me and pursue me. Thank You for forgiveness and grace. Make my life pleasing to You. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 30-31