The Choice is Up to You—December 2 Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass

The Choice is Up to Us

“If”. Such a small word with such big consequences. But make no mistake—we get to choose how we will handle the truth we have heard. Sometimes we will feel powerless to choose, but feelings are not fact. The choice is up to us—choose blessings or curses. Admittedly no one would likely want to choose curses, but oftentimes we are not aware that the daily choices we make are bearing consequences of blessings or curses that could impact our life or our eternity.

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 27-28

The overriding message of all of the book of Deuteronomy is to love and obey God. This is the way to the blessed life. But more than just seeking a blessed life, this is what we were made for. To know God and to treasure Him. But our pesky flesh can get in the way. Still, we do get to choose.

According to gotquestions.org, the blessings are listed in a chiastic structure, “a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and then repeated in reverse order. The result is a “mirror” effect as the ideas are “reflected” back in a passage.”

Deuteronomy 28 lists the blessings and then the reverse – the curses. But praise God that Jesus reversed the curse! And we get to choose, friends!

How Do We Choose?—Fully

The first principle for obedience is that it is full-on obedience – not partial obedience.

Deuteronomy 27:1

“Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, “Keep every command I am giving you today.”

The Choice is Up To Us—Be in Agreement

Notice that God’s people were in agreement with God’s principles. The phrase, “And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’” was written 12 times in chapter 27 alone. Surround yourself with people who think and act biblically. Who will encourage you to obey God and His word.

The Choice is Up To Us—Faithfully and Carefully

Deuteronomy 28:1-2

“Now if you faithfully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all his commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the Lord your God.”

The two Hebrew words for faithfully and carefully are Shamah and Shamar. It is this sense of being on the watch. Being attentive, diligent to listen to God’s will.

The Choice is Up To Us—Full Cheerful Obedience

As a parent, when my children don’t want to do what I have asked, it is burdensome. How much more when our loving Father Who has blessed us abundantly, finds that His people are not joyful in their relationship with Him or in serving Him?

Deuteronomy 28:47-48

“Because you didn’t serve the Lord your God with joy and a cheerful heart, even though you had an abundance of everything, 48 you will serve your enemies that the Lord will send against you, in famine, thirst, nakedness, and a lack of everything. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.”

The Choice is Up To Us—Intentionally remembering

At the beginning of our reading today, God had His people put His word on stones to remind them. Sometimes we forget to obey because we are not grounded in God’s word. How can you place God’s word more faithfully in your path to help you remember? It might not be stones, but how can you get His word to be central in your life? We can’t obey what we don’t know or follow.

Deuteronomy 27:2-3

“2 When you cross the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up large stones and cover them with plaster. 3 Write all the words of this law on the stones after you cross to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.”

Scripture of the Day: Deuteronomy 27:26

“Cursed is anyone who does not put the words of this law into practice. And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’”

It is not just knowing God’s word, but doing it that blesses us. We all want to be blessed, but sometimes we need to remember the consequences of doing things our way instead of God’s way. Curses motivate us to not go astray. Blessings encourage us to persevere. It will be worth it.