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
Once I gave a ride to a hitchhiker. As a youth, he had been a track star, running with the elite at a university in southern California. However, drugs entered his life. He was dismissed from school; his life had gone downhill, and he was struggling to take care of his family. His last name was Owens, a nephew of the great Jesse Owens. What potential for life and good had he missed?
Our choices really do make a difference. We can look back at our paths and see significant decisions that have altered the very course of life, family and career. Success and a happy journey come from healthy habits, choice of spouse and the employment we obtain. Youthful (or adult) indiscretions have often derailed a promising future. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds us that obedience to God's way is a key for life.
Prayer
Gracious Holy Spirit, guide us today to make choices in obedience to Your will. Amen