Weekly Devotion By Pastor Tim Smith
"See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. 17But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, 18I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the LORD swore to give to your ancestors." - Deuteronomy 30: 15
This week's Old Testament lesson are words that Moses shares with the Israelites who have been wandering for more than a generation while waiting to enter the land promised to their ancestors. It's a pivotal moment. It's as if God is saying to them through Moses, "Now that you're about to receive what you've been looking forward to all these years, it's gut check time. You need to know that your choices will make a difference as to how this all plays out."
This week's Old Testament lesson are words that Moses shares with the Israelites who have been wandering for more than a generation while waiting to enter the land promised to their ancestors. It's a pivotal moment. It's as if God is saying to them through Moses, "Now that you're about to receive what you've been looking forward to all these years, it's gut check time. You need to know that your choices will make a difference as to how this all plays out."
At first glance, these words may seem like judgment, punishment, or threat. The heavy hand of God's law! But it's not that at all. It is deep wisdom shared in love with the primary motivation the well-being of those receiving the warning. It's like telling a toddler, "Don't touch that stove, honey. You'll burn your hand. HOT!" Or "Brush your teeth, baby. We want strong teeth," or "Eat your vegetables. It'll make your body strong." That's not threat or accusation; that's just wisdom offered by a loving parent who wants the best for her/his child!
When we invite people to "Come Share Life" at Redeemer, we're echoing the invitation of Jesus in John's Gospel, "I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." Christianity, contrary to popular opinion, isn't about "taking all the fun out of life" or never being able to live up to what's expected of you. It's about abundant life, just like receiving the promised land was intended to be abundant life, milk and honey, for the Israelites. The practices, disciplines, priorities, choices, and habits set before us make up "religion." Religion isn't intended to squelch and rob but to enhance and empower abundant living. God is saying to Israel through Moses that there are choices that are life- and community-destructive, and there are choices that are life-giving. God wants them to know that they are created with choices, and God loves them enough to wish for and guide them into the choices that are life-giving.
The key is to make sure we're worshiping the right God, the God who loves us, forgives us, promises us life here and now and to come. To do this we must (counter-intuitively) say no to other gods; namely, the gods of self, power, control, possessions, status, etc. and follow God's rules, practices, and religion for us (in this case, 10 commandments). God won't stop us from choosing unwisely, but God in love deeply wants us not to touch the hot stove...to choose life!
PRAYER: Gracious God, you set before us life and death. The things we seem to want are often not what we actually need. Help us to choose wisely, not in fear or because you won't love us if we don't, but precisely because you do love us no matter what. Help us to live in that abundant love and life. In the name of Christ, abundant life incarnate, Amen.
When we invite people to "Come Share Life" at Redeemer, we're echoing the invitation of Jesus in John's Gospel, "I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." Christianity, contrary to popular opinion, isn't about "taking all the fun out of life" or never being able to live up to what's expected of you. It's about abundant life, just like receiving the promised land was intended to be abundant life, milk and honey, for the Israelites. The practices, disciplines, priorities, choices, and habits set before us make up "religion." Religion isn't intended to squelch and rob but to enhance and empower abundant living. God is saying to Israel through Moses that there are choices that are life- and community-destructive, and there are choices that are life-giving. God wants them to know that they are created with choices, and God loves them enough to wish for and guide them into the choices that are life-giving.
The key is to make sure we're worshiping the right God, the God who loves us, forgives us, promises us life here and now and to come. To do this we must (counter-intuitively) say no to other gods; namely, the gods of self, power, control, possessions, status, etc. and follow God's rules, practices, and religion for us (in this case, 10 commandments). God won't stop us from choosing unwisely, but God in love deeply wants us not to touch the hot stove...to choose life!
PRAYER: Gracious God, you set before us life and death. The things we seem to want are often not what we actually need. Help us to choose wisely, not in fear or because you won't love us if we don't, but precisely because you do love us no matter what. Help us to live in that abundant love and life. In the name of Christ, abundant life incarnate, Amen.
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