Our Choices In Life Matter
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Deuteronomy 28 and Psalm 129 (NIV)
(Samuel Tan, PTM for Family Life Ministry)
READ:
The following verses spoke to me:
If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God…. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)
However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you… (Deuteronomy 28:15)
OBSERVE:
As the Israelites listened to the Covenant just before they entered the Promised Land there was an overwhelming list of blessings and curses resulting from obedience or disobedience to the Commandments/Guidance of God.
The section on curses (v15-68) is about four times longer than the section on blessings (v1-14). This must have given the hearers the impression that the consequences of disobeying God are just unthinkable. They need to understand that keeping the laws of the covenant was for their own good.
APPLY:
- God’s love is unconditional as He chose Israel to be His Chosen people. But His blessings are conditional based on the choices we make in response to His guidance and leading.
- Rebelling against God’s guidance and leading has consequences. Going our way means leaving God’s protection and provision resulting in self-inflicted harm and misery.
- Consequences of our sin/rebellion is one of God’s ways to turn His people back to Him, to help us realize our fallacy. Turning to God in obedience will bring renewal of the Covenant, restoration of relationship with Him.
DO:
- I need to cultivate consistent personal time with God that will enable me to make better choices that please Him.
- Practice self-examination in the presence of God; acknowledge His unconditional love, be quick to seek joyful obedience and repent of sins His Spirit reveals to me.
PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for unconditional love. Grant me the desire to spend time with you. May I continue to walk in the Spirit and in obedience to His prompting in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
