We all must make choices every day. Some are easy and can be made without much hesitation. Like “what color shall I wear today” or “do I want salad or a sandwich for lunch?”

Some decisions are difficult or that require time to make a decision. Like “what car shall I buy” or “what community do we want to live in?”

We each face choices in our day-to-day living. They are part of life.

We find in Deuteronomy that Israel had a choice to make. Moses thought it was an easy choice. But he also knew it had to be their choice. So he shared all the pros and cons of this important decision.

Moses and the priests called Israel together and said, “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. Obey the Lord your God and follow his command and decrees that I give you today.” (Deuteronomy 27:9-10 – NIV)

There is a lot in these verses, but what I’d like to show is that Israel had already been chosen by God. Now it was their turn to make a choice.

After quite a long speech on blessings and curses, the renewal of the covenant, and prosperity in the Lord, Moses gets to the main point. In Deuteronomy 30:11-20, Moses lays it all out for them. He makes a great case for God.

Moses believes it is an easy decision to make and says so. “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.” (Deuteronomy 30:11 – NIV) Moses goes on to say that they don’t have to go to heaven to find it. They don’t have to cross the sea to get it.

“No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” (Deuteronomy 30:14 – NIV) I love this verse for it is exactly the same for us on this side of the cross. God’s Word is within us. In our hearts and should be on our tongues. And the reason? So that we may know it and obey.

Moses then tells them they have a choice. Life and prosperity or death and destruction.

This great leader of God enlightened Israel of the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience. For Moses, there wasn’t a decision to be made. He had already chosen to follow God. Israel needed to do the same.

One final swaying argument for God and Moses would hand the leadership role over to Joshua.

“This day I call heaven and 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 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – NIV)

I can hear the great crowd cheering after Moses’ convincing words. They are inspiring words. Words that called Israel to action. Israel was all in at this point.

Oh, we know that Israel made bad decisions throughout their history in the Old Testament, but at this point, they chose God. They chose blessings. They chose prosperity. They chose life.

Do Moses’ words call you to action? Are they enough to convince you to love God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him? Are you willing to accept God as your life?

As a Christ-follower, I must ask myself a few questions as well. Am I thrilled that God’s Word is very near? Are God’s commands in my heart? Are they on my lips? Do I listen to God’s voice? Do I hold fast to Him?

I’ll say it like Moses did. It’s not a difficult decision. Choose life!

As you go through your day today, I know you will face a choice or two. Some may be even more difficult than mentioned above. If so, please ask for God’s help. He will be happy to weigh in on the situation. And God will also be happy that you invited Him in to your decision process.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna