“See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity. For I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not listen and you are led astray to bow down to other gods and worship them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish and will not live long in the land you are entering to possess across the Jordan. I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)
When the people of Israel first heard these powerful words, they were entering the land of Canaan — the Promised Land. God tells them plainly that they can either be blessed or be cursed. It was completely up to them — the ball was in their court. This scripture is just as true now as it was when it was first spoken 3,500 years ago. Each of us make choices that determine what our life will be both now and through eternity.
This is an eternal principle. God sets before us life and death, prosperity and destruction. This world and the future world belong to God, even though Satan is still the “prince of this world,” he has limited power. Only those who love God and serve Him can experience true life and true prosperity. That doesn’t only mean eternity in heaven, but it begins right here and now in this fallen world. We can experience such power over evil that despite the problems raging around us, we can have an abundant life that transcends Satan’s limitations.
God’s chosen people were about to cross over into a land flowing with milk and honey, as long as their hearts remained true to God. Yet history shows that every time they turned away from God to their own selfishness and indulgences, that beautiful land became barren, and even their enemies would wield cruel power over them. The controls had been firmly placed in their hands by God, but all too often they foolishly chose death and destruction when they didn’t have to.
The controls are still in our hands as we journey through this life. Jesus Christ invites everyone to come to Him in faith, and live out that faith in action. He demands that you put Him first and that you deny yourself to follow Him. So which do you choose — life, prosperity, blessings; or death, want, and curses?
No comments:
Post a Comment