Deuteronomy 30 – 34
Verses 30:2 – 3 shows God’s love for people who follow Him:
2 and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.
Often I wonder what if we “backslid” and drifted away from Christ, would the road back be long and difficult? We have many stories that make sure we understand that the road is not long and difficult, but rather easy. The one thing I think people read into this too much is the “restore your fortunes” part. Does this mean money and wealth or the actual relationship with God? I think we read money and get very disappointed when that doesn’t happen, at the same time how many of us who have “backslid” actually lost much?
Think about the Prodigal Son who went a blew his fortune, he returned to his father and his fortune was restored. The people of Israel often lose it all and have their place restored. Personally when I “backslid” my “fortune” was not effected but I believe my future fortune was. I put me first and ignored God and his guidelines for financial success. Instead of putting money into a retirement account I spent it on racing and drinking. Now in my 50’s when I pray for “restoration” it’s not happening since really there was nothing to restore. So when we are praying for God to “bless us” with fortunes, based on this verse. Look where we started from before expecting the Lottery win.
Verse 30:19 – 20 is a basic question for everyone:
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
What do you choose life or death? This is giving you the only real option of life with God, the only uncreated one. We love God and follow His rules, life may not be “Easy Street” but it is in His plan. I read this an got caught on the “choose life” statement and immediately apply it to the “pro-choice” movement for “abortion rights”. Again I am kind of “wishy-washy” here to many, since I am more “pro-choice” in a way. I feel abortion should be safe and legal, but it should be the last resort and those faced with the decision should “choose life” as this verse states.
Verse 31:6 is an important piece of advice:
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Fear is the most dangerous emotion since it can immobilize you and put you at risk. Courage is not without fear; it overcomes the fear and allows one to act. If we allow fear to control us, the usual response is freeze like a deer in the head lights. That response does not end well for the deer or for us. We should be strong and not ignore the fear, but don’t let it control us. When the Trade Center towers were attacked, the ones running into the smoke and rubble controlled their fear for the sake of others. If they had allowed fear to control their decisions, more people would have died that day.
Granted courage cost many lives that day, but sometimes it’s not about saving our asses, but rather those who we never knew. As Christians are you waiting in your bunker for Armageddon or are you running into this dark world trying to rescue as many as you can? We have the Lord our God with us, who can defeat this? I have seen evil retreat at the name of Jesus Christ, don’t let fear overcome you but rather help guide you. We don’t need to be attempting the impossible, but at the same time we must realize all things are possible in God. Approach your fears with prayer and learn to listen to the Holy Spirit.