DEUTERONOMY 30:20

The path set before us is really very simple. However, I must confess that we, through our many inventions and stubbornness, have massively complicated it. I pray that God will help us and give us the grace again to uncomplicate it. Especially in these unprecedented times of the now, may the Almighty help us to keep it simple and get back with urgency to the old landmarks. In fact, in Proverbs 22:28 we are implicitly cautioned “not to remove the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Deviation from the ancient landmarks results only in heartache, tragedy, and indescribable misery. The foundational truths, moral boundaries, and core principles established by the Almighty and passed down to us by our spiritual ancestors are absolutely essential to our survival and well-being. It’s time we go back to the simple, essential teachings of Scripture. We live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He has unmistakably shown us the way to life and blessings. Today, we choose life again. We want to be blessed, we and our offspring.

In the book of the second law, Deuteronomy, as Moses is about to make his departure from this life, he sees it fitting to call the people together and to speak final words to them. He calls them together to bless them, to counsel with them, to remind them of their calling, mission, and assignment. He powerfully cautions them about forgetting God and turning back and away from God. Failure to obey the voice of God is to choose death over life, cursing over blessing, condemnation over salvation and deliverance. It is simply a choice, a plain choice between life and good, and death and evil (Deuteronomy 30:15). Now, as back then, as they journeyed through the wilderness into the glorious Promised Land and were sent into exile because of their persistent corruption and disobedience, we are commanded to love God or face a similar fate as they did.

In his great love and affection for the people of God, Moses literally commanded them to love the Lord their God – to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes and His judgments – so that they may live and multiply. He further declared “…and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess” (v.16). Why is it so difficult for us to comprehend that God, our supreme Maker, loves us and truly wants to literally bless us and wants to rain down blessings on us daily and to shower us with indescribable and immeasurable blessings? He wants to bless us when we come and when we go from morning to evening. The Psalmist somehow caught a glimpse of this and declares with gratitude, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19).

We are simply called upon to choose life. The alternative is most conscientiously, unequivocally rejected and denounced. We choose and affirm life. We refuse to perish. Why die when we are promised and assured life? Life both for us and our loved ones! It’s really not that complicated. We heartily receive the message – the pure, simple, unadulterated Word – “That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: . . .” (Deuteronomy 30:20). We love Him. We obey Him. We cleave unto Him. He is indeed our life. He determines the length of our days! It’s really not that complicated!