“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Dear God and Heavenly Father, we come to You today, acknowledging that we need You to give us the necessary wisdom to make good choices. Thank You for trusting us enough to allow us to choose for ourselves. Thank You also for giving us the strength to live with the results of our decisions when they are not the best, and to grow from our mistakes. In the name of Jesus Christ we offer You our thanks. Amen.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I wish God had not given us freedom of choice. I wish He would choose for us.” Have you ever felt that way yourself? Well, you are not alone. There are many others who feel the same way – especially when we make the wrong choices and are suffering from the consequences. If in those moments of regret we can determine, not to suffer in vain, then the consequences can be considered, “growing pains.”
In our text for today, God is giving us a choice, with very good advice: “Choose life.” But it is still ours to choose!
There is so much that we can gain from the gift of the freedom to choose. I actually see it as something sacred! Therefore, I believe that if God who sees the big picture, knows our limitations, and has foreknowledge of what will happen, (perhaps not in the same way we understand foreknowledge; His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are our ways, His ways), created us with the ability to choose, we ought to respect people’s right to choose, whether we agree with their choices or not!
I have noticed with some concern, that of late, there is an intolerance towards people who are exercising their “right to choose.” If that right to choose is being used arbitrarily, without consideration for others, that behavior is as wrong, as the intolerance of others toward them! For that reason, the right to choose is best used under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Who will also free us from the spirit of intolerance.
We must not forget that there have been times in the history of our world, when people were forced to make choices against their will, even at the risk of their lives; where many were martyred because their beliefs, differed from the belief of the majority. As Christians, we must be willing to walk as Jesus walked while He journeyed among us. He never compromised His obedience to the will of the Father, nor taught others to do so, neither should we, but He loved everyone, and showed them the way to the Father, and to life eternal!
We will continue this conversation and look at what God was advising His people to do. May we also encourage people to choose life, without denying them their freedom to choose.