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, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20 NAS95)
I feel like I am slow at catching on to things in the Christian life. Some of that slowness directly results from teaching I received, causing me to think of God as far off and inaccessible in my heart and mind. As I consider it is Moses who wrote these words, and the quality of relationship he had with God, my heart jumps with hope and expectation. Moses tells me that God speaks, even to one like me, and by listening, obeying His voice, life as God intended it would flourish. Life! Life consists of an interactive relationship with God and Moses tells me this. I choose life by choosing to focus on God, to love God, pursue God and respond to what He says. Moses tells me God desires my flourishing and that flourishing occurs in an interactive relationship with our Creator.
When I consider Moses, he had a phenomenally interactive relationship with God. One rich with guidance, insight and wisdom for all the situations of life he encountered. So he speaks from experience. After all, he navigated the insurmountable task of leading 2 million people out of Egyptian bondage with an army pursuing them. Then as he interacted with God he found ways to feed, care and lead Israel through numerous challenges as well as prepare them for nationhood. The wisdom that came from God to Moses also ended up in the pages of Scripture. As Moses prepared for death, he tells us to choose life - LIFE, an interactive relationship with God, something Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had too. Jesus taught and modeled the same thing as well as made the way for us to enjoy it. As I’ve walked with Jesus, I’ve learned loving God means conversation that is near, accessible and real with Him - life of the eternal kind (John 17:3). And that kind of life touches me today in all that I do. I only wish I had understood the depth of this word through Moses much earlier in my journey with Jesus.
For Reflection:
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Psalms 16:11 NAS95)
- How does God invite you to conversation with Him throughout the day?
- What experiences do you recall of God clearly calling you to pray? What do these memories tell you of God’s approach to you?
