Deuteronomy 29-30  This new covenant, made with the people of Israel as they prepared to enter the promised land, spelled out all the blessings of being God's people.. loving Him and obeying His commands with all their hearts and souls.  It also spells out what happens when they turn away to false gods.  Even then.. the Lord offered a second chance.. restoration.. redemption.. and a great promise.. "Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live." (30:6)

The Lord wanted His people to  "choose life".. "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity and death and adversity; in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgements, that you may live and multiply and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it." ( v15-16)  And verse 19b-20a  "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... " 

This is the message of the gospel, "choose life"!  Choose to follow Jesus, to live according to His Word and to trust in Him to "circumcise" our own hearts that we might love Him with all our hearts and souls. What good news!  Jesus came to restore us, to redeem us, and to bring us back to the Father. 

It's not too hard.. "For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, not is it out of reach." (v11)  It is not too far away.. " But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may observe it." (v14)  

Jesus calls us to follow Him.. to choose Life, abundant life, the life He came to give to us.. He gives us ears to hear and hearts to receive His Words.  May we choose life in Him today and every day without end. 

Father in heaven, thank You for the Word of Life. We choose to live according to Your Word.. by the power of Your Spirit.. in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord and King who has brought us near. Accomplish Your work in our hearts, fill us with love and faith and obedience.  Your will be done! Amen.