(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 30:1-20)

In today’s Scripture, Moses implores Israel to choose life, that is to choose the blessings over the curses, that is to choose to love the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul. Loving the Lord with all their heart and with all their soul means to obey the Lord and follow all His commands.

Let us first be clear that there is no loving the Lord with all our heart and soul without obeying and following all His commands. As the church, we can’t say we love the Lord with all our heart and soul, but choose not to obey Jesus’ commands.

It is the Lord our God that gives us the way in order to love Him with all our heart and with all our soul, and live. That way, is the way, that is Jesus Christ. Christ is the way, so that we may love God with all our heart and with all our soul, and live.

However, from Israel’s example, and in our own lives of faith we know that just because we have the way, doesn’t mean we will overcome our stubbornness, soften our hardened hearts, and humbly love the Lord with all our heart and soul.

All of this must be done by the work of the Lord, that will change our hearts, so that we can come to Him in obedience and love. It is as Moses said to the Israelites in today’s Scripture,

6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

Just as Moses presented two paths to Israel and implored them to choose life, so we too are making that decision each day. Yes, we have the way, Jesus Christ, but that also means we have no excuses, because the way has already been presented and given.

Are we willing to let God circumcise our hearts and the hearts of our descendants, so that we can choose the way, choose life, through Jesus Christ? God provided the way, and He also provides us with the strength to choose the way.

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20a and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

Brothers and sisters, each day we wake up we struggle with choosing between blessings and curses. We have been shown the way, but we still wrestle daily with God in our flesh. Why do we need to be in God’s Word each day? Why do we need to worship and pray each day? Because each day we need His strength to make us choose life.

Now choose life, or should we say, CHOOSE LIFE, NOW!

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 30