“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20

George Jones, the Country music giant sang a song that went something like this, -“I’ve had choices since the day I was born - there were voices that told me right from wrong - if I had listened, no I wouldn’t be here today - living and dying with the choices I’ve made.”

I think we can all relate to those words. There is no one among us that has not made choices which we regret. The consequences of unwise choices still linger in all of our palettes like an unsavory dish.

You often hear, -“I did the best that I could do” as someone explains an obvious mistake they have made. This can be true but usually isn’t. Most people place too much trust in their own ability to make decisions. Sometimes one may inquire counsel from a close friend but seldom does anyone seek the counsel of the Lord. If you do not seek the wisdom of the Lord then you certainly have not “done the best you could have.” God has given us valuable resources to help us through life.

I heard a story about a father who stood watching out a window as his son tried in vain to move a large rock. After a few moments he raised the window and said, -“Son, why don’t you use all your resources?” Agitated, the boy snapped back, -“Dad, I’m doing the best I can!” His father then replied, -“You haven’t asked me to help.” The young man had failed to see the obvious - that his father was a valuable resource which was available to help him when needed. 

Our Heavenly Father is always there to help us when we are in need. He is anxiously awaiting our every prayer. God has also given us other resources such as His written Word, Pastors and Elders to counsel with, and the spiritual gifts He has distributed throughout the body. If we do not use these treasures, then we cannot truthfully say that we have done the best we could.

In our text we see that life and death, blessings and curses are in the choices we make.

 To choose life is to choose to obey the Lord. Verse 20 says, “Obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him is your life.” This reminds me of what Jesus told a young Jewish man who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. It’s interesting what Jesus did not say. He did not say, -“You cannot do anything, just believe in Me.”

 Now, we know that the Law has no power to save, and that Jesus is the only Way to salvation - yet Jesus told the young man, -“If you wish to enter into life keep the Commandments.” Jesus was saying that choosing life is not just choosing Him as a Savior but receiving Him as the Lord whom you obey.