PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Deuteronomy.10-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“A land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. ” (Deuteronomy 11:11)
The promise of a better world, a life of blessing and abundance, peace and joy.
This is the promise – or the blessing – that we find described in Genesis 1 and 2.
A ‘very good’ creation in harmony with God, each other, and all things.
This is what we were made for, and this is what God is working to restore.
The land of Canaan for Israel was a symbol of God’s plan for all creation.
That full vision, symbolized by Canaan, is still God’s plan and purpose for us.
Jesus came to rescue God’s stubborn children from the Enemy of life, the Deceiver.
Jesus did what humans failed to do: He refused Satan and reclaimed Adam’s throne.
He now offers the creation blessing to us, and invites us into ‘life to the full’.
Every day we live, we stand before the blessing and the curse – which do we choose?
We are tempted to wander, to give in to pleasure, to forget God, to do it our way.
But as Moses reminds the people, this path leads to misery, disappointment – the curse.
God doesn’t curse us; He shows us the way of blessing and curse, and lets us choose.
God wants to bless me but He can’t if I turn away… what will I choose today?
PRAYER
Lord, my little choices each day lead me towards or away from Your love, Your joy, Your peace. Help me to see the connection between choices and consequences, and help me to choose well!
As a farmers sow their seeds, they know that seed needs moisture. When the Israelite’s lived in Goshen – they just took the water from the Nile and irrigated their crops – but the promised land would not be like that – as Scripture says “It is a land the Lord your God cares for” [Deut 11:12] – God will provide the rain – but God also says He can withhold it. God wanted His people to be blessed – and to honour Him as their God – to come to Him with all their needs and to receive blessing. God will provide – I am to receive blessing from Him – it is better than being independent and taking myself – like water from the Nile. As a mark of receiving blessing – as gratitude I also am to give back – in a way that is God honouring and blesses my neighbour as well.
Do this and live. Live and do this. That is what the Master said.
That is my choice. I choose to serve Him. I need to see His presence in all I do and say.
In God I trust.
I am His and He is mine.
All the people of the land also need to see this.
Where do we place our trust? Our hope? Our security?
I like the response that Joshua gave as his witness to the people . . but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God.
If you but trust in God to guide you,
And place your confidence in Him,
You’ll find Him always there beside you
To give you hope and strength within;
For those who trust God’s changeless love
Build on the Rock that will not move.
Only be still and wait His pleasure
In cheerful hope, with heart content:
He fills your needs to fullest measure
With what discerning love has sent;
Doubt not our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Offer your service faithfully,
And trust His word; though undeserving,
You’ll find His promise true to be;
God never will forsake in need
The soul that trusts in Him indeed.