Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NRSV)
Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. Verse 16If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. Verse 17But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, Verse 18I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. Verse 19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, Verse 20loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Devotion
Choose Life! The billboard seemed to scream out to me in huge letters as I drove down the interstate highway. I knew immediately what the message was about, but as I drove further this billboard message moved my thoughts beyond-or is it in line with-the words of Deuteronomy.
Life and death, blessings and curses, lie before us all as we move into each new day of service. Knowing this and listening to the ancient admonition brings the responsibility back to me. I am called-no, commanded-to choose between life and prosperity or death and adversity. These things do not happen to me. I can choose where I place my service, my obedience and my trust. Yet I rest knowing that the Lord has chosen me. So when I love the Lord, obey His directions, and hold fast to Him when adversity affects me, I
find life.
Prayer
Lord, there is no life without your love and our obedience to your commands. Give to all the power to choose you, and by so doing, choose life through which all blessings will come. Amen.