The Freedom of Choices
Deuteronomy 28:2, 15: “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God. . . . But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statues with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you.”
Observation: This chapter is broadly divided into two parts. The first recounts the blessings God will pour onto those who obey Him and follow His commandments. They are far-reaching, profound, and encompass every aspect of life. The second part, much longer, is a description of the devastation to be loosed upon those who do not obey God and do not follow His commandments. These, too, are far-reaching and profound, touching every aspect of life. Even more importantly, this devastation and destruction goes beyond this life into all eternity.
Application: As I read of these blessings and curses, the Lord reminded me how redemptive suffering can be. I see it in Luke 15, where the Prodigal Son chose to squander his inheritance and ended up living with pigs. But ultimately, the depth and breadth of his loss drove him back into the arms of his father.
I think about a man I know, formerly lukewarm in his faith, who found himself in a horrible marriage. Today, the marriage is no better, but his heart is good, having been ignited with love for Jesus. I think of dear loved ones who struggle with unforgiveness in their hearts over past offenses—for one an imagined offense, and for another, an offense against his grandfather. Both men are in deep bondage to their judgment. One struggles, wanting freedom that can only come with a surrendering of pride. The other is consumed by his unforgiveness and appears poised to go into eternity in his lost condition.
And I think about my wife, Cindy, and me. We struggled over the years to come to grips with the reality that we have a very, very good God who could have healed her of MS but didn’t. He did, however, heal our hearts through lessons learned while waiting on Him.
God decrees that rebellion, judgment, and pride will necessarily result in the horrible consequences of Deuteronomy 28, but He also gladly offers a way of escape—a way that tears us from the grip of sin in our lives and binds us to the renewing life of Christ.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for giving me the ability to make choices. Thank You that I am free to choose You, even ‘til the moment of my death. Lord, cause me to be conscious of each unsurrendered area of my life so I can repent of that sin and bind that part of my heart to the life of Christ in me.
Thank you for this particular message today.
“I think about a man I know, formerly lukewarm in his faith, who found himself in a horrible marriage. Today, the marriage is no better, but his heart is good, having been ignited with love for Jesus.”
This reminds me of my marriage now. We struggle so much, like we live on different planets, but my prayer at least for myself is that my heart may be ignited with such a love for God that will carry me through every situation. You are right, His love changes us. If things never change in our marriage, at least my heart will be right, and God will give me strength to endure all things.
I appreciate you and your gracious offering to us of your commitment each day to prepare these devotions for us, and I’m praying that they are also ministering to you as well.
Naomi
Kernersville, NC
I’ve prayed for you today, Naomi. I’m thankful for your comments. My heart was so touched by what you wrote, and I’m reminded that one ignited heart is enough to set ablaze everything and everyone nearby. I pray that would be true for your husband as well. Know that in your heart response the Lord is deeply pleased…and He will bless you in ways you could never have imagined.