Deuteronomy 30:19,20
It is my unchanging conviction that the God who is affectionately known in Scripture as Our God – desires for us to live and to live not as barely making it but for us to live exuberantly, freely, abundantly and sometimes extravagantly. My earnest prayer for the church in 2023, is that we would unfalteringly come to that realization and embrace it wholeheartedly.
As Moses preached his last sermon to the children of Israel, standing in the plains of Moab, he makes is so plain to them, how uncomplicated it really all is. In this book known as the second book of the law or the repetition of the law, Moses repeats to them what God has already said to them. He declares “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess” (Deut. 30:15,15 niv).
In the Message Bible it is paraphrased this way “And I command you today: Love God, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments, regulations and rules so that you will live, live exuberantly; blessed by God, your God in the land you are about to enter and possess” (Deut. 30:16). I trust that the urgency of the application of this thought will not be missed as we rehearse this passage of Scripture. As the prophet of God, Moses, preaches his last Plains of Moab sermon to assembled Israel and he seeks to convey the urgency of his thoughts by saying to them – Live this! Now! Six times the word “today” and “this day” are repeated in this chapter (verse 2, 8, 11,15,16,19). We are commanded to choose life and prosperity (v15). We are commanded to choose to live NOW!
Today so many are preparing to die, instead of truly living. Many are barely making it. However, may I remind the church of what Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The Amplified version states “. . . I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance – to the full, till it overflows” (John 10:10 Amplified Version).
Here, today, now, on this day in obedience to His Word, we choose Life and Prosperity as opposed to Death and Destruction. We refuse to live any longer on life support. We choose to get up and live life to its fullest. We choose God so that we and our children will live (v19). We refuse to stay down. We say like David “I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord (Psalm 118:17). I believe instead of dying – I’ll write another song, preach another sermon – pen another poem, walk another mile – visit another country – give another testimony – take another step – do another dance – paint another sunset! We choose to live and to live exuberantly! Live as God intended. He is our life (Deut. 30:20)!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
