Choose Life
- Does it matter what we focus on in our minds?
- Why should our thoughts be of any importance to those surrounding us?
- Does it really matter if we focus on the blessings of God, on HIS GOODNESS?
- If we are having a bad moment, a tiring day, a week that just won’t end, a month of trouble, or even a season of turmoil—Does it really matter where we place our focus?
Do not be surprised that the Word of God, the Holy Bible speaks with a resounding: Y—E—S !
“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and aversity;
(Deuteronomy 30: 15-16 NASB)
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.”
When the children disobeyed the LORD, history reveals God’s punishment for their disobedience. As they stood at the border of Canaan and heard Caleb and Joshua speak of the “goodness” of the Promised Land, they were reminded how it was this land God had promised their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yet, still they refused to trust God at His Word. Instead, they heard the ten spies speak of the land’s goodness but also of the enemy’s size. They feared the battle before them, and of the defeat they surely might receive. Therefore, they turned toward their fear and away from their faith. They chose to not believe in the LORD’S promises. THIS WAS THE WRONG RESPONSE!
If we read the rest of their story, then we see how the LORD suddenly came thundering into their presence, threatening to annihilate them and start afresh with His servant Moses. Then we read the intercessory prayer of Moses, calling on the LORD to forgive them for their unbelief. Amazingly, the LORD forgives them again, in what seems to be the 1,000th time. Afraid and quaking in their sandals, they conceded and said (a paraphrase): “Okay. Okay, God, we will do what you say. We will go in and take the land—now.” THIS WAS THE WRONG RESPONSE!
As we read the next chapter, we see how the children of Israel lost their opportunity to obediently follow the LORD. They would not go into the land on God’s timetable, refusing and choosing fear rather than trust. Waiting and not immediately obeying God (when they presumed to later go) cost them death, for the LORD was not with them in that battle. Suddenly, they were defeated by the warring enemy. There was not victory, for their weak faith.
May we know with assurance: OUR FAITH IS NOT A PRESUMPTION!
That’s right, we do not need to “presume” how and when we are to trust God.
WE ARE TO FULLY TRUST GOD—QUICKLY & REVERENTLY!
“But if your heart turns away and you will not obey,
(Deuteronomy 30: 17-`9a NASB)
but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
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.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today,
that I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.”
It is up to us to choose where we are to focus because the LORD placed a free will inside us when He created us. We can choose to focus on the blessings of the day and in our lives. We can choose to see His Good the LORD provides, seeing the many ways HE has always provided for and cared for our every need.
Nevertheless, we can also choose (instead) to look the other way, focusing on the worldly curses rather than the blessings of God.
- We can see only the struggles we face, the trials we must endure, and the hardships of the days.
- We can choose to see only the bad, the pain, and the difficulties (that which Satan wishes for us to see) because the devil only wishes to defeat, to destroy, and to kill our spirit.
Therefore, as the Holy Spirit speaks to the redeemed one, choose wisely, focusing on the blessings of life and not on the curses and not receiving the consequences that come from our disobedience to God.
May we let that statement sink in for a long moment.
- Despite how we feel, faith is simply obeying God.
- Despite what we see, faith is simply obeying God.
- Despite what we fear might happen, faith is simply obeying God.
In our stubborn hardheadedness, we find ourselves needing the Holy Spirit’s prompting, reminding us how GOD has always kept HIS Promises, how HE always will until the day HE brings us home!
“Bless The Lord” by Mack Brock speaks of all the ways the LORD blesses us, telling us what must be our response. We are to Choose Life. We are to lift up our hands high and twirl, sing and dance, proclaiming—“Thank You, Lord, for all You have done and given to me.”
God gave us life everlasting!
The late Reverend Dwight D. Moody said it this way—“real true faith is man’s weakness leaning on God’s strength.”
- May we take God at His Word.
- May we stand in faith, come what may, and do exactly as God commands.
- May we show the watching world just IN WHOM we believe.
Yes, may we live, proving with clarity how We Choose Life in Him!
“So [daily] choose life
(Deuteronomy 30: 19b-20a NASB)
in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
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, . . .”