Our Heavenly Father whose Divine Intent is Love, gives us choices of which path to take in our lives. If it were not so, chapter 30 of Deuteronomy as countless other passages would have to be cut out of Scripture. Love demands a choice for we are not robots walking around totally programmed to a precise, predetermined path. Our Heavenly Father is also sovereign but these two characteristics can and do co-reside with each other. HE may allow us to determine our individual paths in life but in the end HE will reconcile each of us to HIM. Each of us decides the path and when alternate paths are presented to us, we are given the right to decide which path to take. One path leads to life and the fullness thereof and the others lead to death and destruction. As for me, I choose life.
Our Heavenly Father gave the children of Israel the choice. We are HIS inheritance today as they were back then thus this passage is as applicable to us at it was to them. It boils down to a simple question: Which kingdom do you want to live in? The two kingdoms are described as “life and good” or “death and evil”:
Deuteronomy 30:15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
The first kingdom is based on Love:
16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.
The other kingdom is based on “self” or ego:
17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
We are given a legal and lawful opportunity to choose thus you cannot claim it is anyone else’s fault that you are dealing with judgments that come upon you:
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
Love, obey, and cling (hold fast):
20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
How simple is this decision? Our Heavenly Father tells us just prior to asking for a decision:
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’
13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’
14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.
Each of us is given the choice of two paths. This choice will be presented many times throughout our life- to continue on the straight path, or to veer off onto the path of death and destruction. There will be times the decision will not be popular with others. There will be times of apparent isolation and even silence. Not to worry, the Love of Our Heavenly Father will sustain as we proceed on the path of Life. However, it is your choice. Choose Life!