May 14, 2024
Read Deuteronomy 28, Proverbs 9, Romans 9
Would you rather have a high five or a high five… to the face… with a chair? I know, I know, that is not really a tough decision unless you are a masochist of sorts. There is something going around the internet now where ladies are asking “Would you rather be lost in the woods with a bear or a mean abusive man?” I’m not sure what that is about but I think it’s saying something about men’s behavior here lately.
In Deuteronomy 28 we find the same type of question. Do we want blessings or cursings in our lives? “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God” vv. 1-2. Then it goes on to give examples of what those blessings might look like. It’s rather long!
But near halfway down the chapter, we find the other side of the coin. “However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees, I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you” v. 15. Then you thought the list of blessings was long? The list of cursings is three times the length. The difference between the two is one simple word: obedience. God gives us the greatest gift of freewill to chose for ourselves what we want to do.
This seems like a no-brainer, but we need to be careful not to allow our pride to get in the away. The pull of the sinful nature is strong, and we must learn to mortify it daily so that the Spirit will win the battle of wills in our life. It is always easier on paper (in the Bible) but much more difficult to live out in the real world.
What else do you see in these chapters? What repeated words, verses, or paragraphs speak to you most?
Add your thoughts below.
DId God Really Say... 