Choose Life!
Deuteronomy 30: 19-20
Today is designated as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day set aside on the third Sunday in January to celebrate and stand for the right to life, particularly in the unborn. Babies within the womb are the most vulnerable human beings. They have no ability to defend or speak for them-selves. As believers, we need to be strong advocates for the right to life of all, especially the unborn within their mother’s womb. We have been complacent and silent on this issue far too long, and the thoughtless slaughter of innocent children in the womb is reaching staggering numbers annually. God ordained life, and sees each life as valuable, including the unborn.
Although our text does not specifically address the issue of abortion, it does reveal the precious nature of life, and the responsibility of all who possess this precious gift. Moses was nearing the end of his life. The people of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land, and Moses was about to name Joshua as his successor in leading the people. Following a long discourse, reminding the people of their obligations to the Lord, Moses offered these parting words. Through them we find practical application for our lives and the lives of all mankind.
Life itself is a precious gift. The great purpose for life is knowing the Lord and making Him known to others. We should desire that purpose for ourselves, and all others, including those who have yet to be born. Those who never have a chance to live, having their lives prematurely cut short through abortion, will never understand the joy of this purposeful life. Many who live today have yet to realize and embrace this wonderful purpose.
As we examine the abiding principles in Moses’ words, I want to consider: Choose Life!
I. The Choices in Life (19) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Moses declared to the Israelites that life was filled with choices. He spoke of the variety of choices while encouraging them to choose wisely. Consider:
A. The Observation (19a) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you…Following a reminder of what God desired of Israel, as a nation chosen unto Himself, Moses declared that heaven and earth were witness to their decisions that day, and throughout the remainder of their lives. Their lives would never been lived in a bubble, apart from the witness of the Lord and their fellow man. The life they lived would be examined by God and scrutinized by others. This surely served to challenge them to walk upright before the Lord, in such a way that would positively influence others.
This truth needs to be understood and embraced in our day as well. We do not live isolated lives. The Lord sees our lives, knowing the desires of our hearts and the lives we live. There is nothing hidden from him. Those around us also witness the lives we live. We either positively impact our circle of influence, being a witness of God’s grace, or we become a negative influence, refusing to abide by and portray the righteousness He demands. Every aspect of our lives is being observed. The Lord sees and knows all. Those around us know much more than we realize. What do people observe as they look at our lives?
B. The Selection (19a) – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Heaven and earth bore witness of their lives and the choices they made concerning life. The path they chose would have a direct effect on their lives. Before them was life or death, blessings or a curse. Two paths lay ahead, and each individual was faced with a choice – life or death, blessing or a curse. No man could decide for them; each individual was forced to choose his own path.
Each day we live, we are faced with choices that require decisions. Which path will we choose? Do we desire to seek life, a life that honors the Lord and seeks to serve Him, or do we choose a path that ultimately leads to death and destruction? Do we walk in a way that ensures God’s blessing, or have we chosen a path that will lead to chastisement or judgment? Prov.14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Matt.7:13-14 – Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
C. The Admonition (19b) – therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Moses admonished the people to choose wisely. He urged them to choose life, so they and their children could live. He revealed their choices would also affect future generations. Following the Lord, through faith in Him alone would lead to life. Departure from faith in God and His ways would lead to death and suffering, not only for them, but for future generations.
This is profound in so many ways! The lives we live will impact future generations. Children generally adopt the faith of their parents. If we do not walk with the Lord, and make a right relationship the priority in life, we need not expect our children to live much differently. Choose life so you and your children may live! There is also a very practical application, especially in our culture. If we do not choose to defend life, seeking to preserve it at any cost, we cannot expect children to have a chance at life. Many today need to take these words to heart – choose life so you and your children may live!
II. The Challenge for Life (20a) – That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him. Here Moses offered a simple, yet profound challenge for Israel and coming generations. He spoke of:
A. Their Devotion – That thou mayest love the LORD thy God. Simply Moses challenged the people to love God. This would not be possible if they failed to choose life, but those who did were encouraged to love God. We need a committed devotion to the Lord, loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind – literally our entire being. This is the first and Great Commandment!
B. Their Submission – That thou mayest obey his voice. Moses knew the people had dealt with rebellion and disobedience in the past. He challenged the people to obey the voice of God, submitting their lives in obedience to Him. This is simple enough to understand, and yet we struggle with it too often. We know what God’s Word says in regard to living in a way that pleases Him. Unfortunately, we tend to disregard the Lord and fail to submit to His Word. We can never justify anything in our lives or culture that is contrary to God’s Word, regardless of how it is perceived or accepted within society!
C. Their Communion – That thou mayest cleave unto him. Moses also challenged them to cleave unto the Lord. This is the same word God used as He spoke to Adam about cleaving to his wife. It has the idea of “clinging to in a persistent way.” The people were to cling to God, seeking continual, unhindered fellowship with Him.
In a marriage that is strong, the husband and wife cling to one another. They become one in the eyes of God and are inseparable. Where would many of our marriages be if our relationship with our spouse mirrored that of our relationship with the Lord? Men, would your wife believe you genuinely loved her if you rarely spoke to her and spent little time with her? In the same way we make time for our spouses, diligently working to preserve and strengthen that relationship, we should work to strengthen our relationship with the Lord. This is impossible apart from continued fellowship with Him!
III. The Creator of Life (20b) – for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Moses finished his statement reminding the people of their Creator, and the sovereign role He had in their lives. Notice:
A. He is our Source (20b) – for he is thy life. Moses emphatically declared that God is our life. He is not just the giver of life, He is life. There is no real life apart from God. Sure, someone may have a physical existence apart from God, but they will never experience real life apart from Him. John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Col.3:4 – When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
God is the source and giver of life. Man has no right to infringe upon that sacred, sovereign power by taking the life of another through a murderous act. The senseless murder of millions of babies, aborted in the womb, no doubt grieves the heart of the Creator!
B. He is our Sustainer (20b) – for he is thy life, and the length of thy days. God not only provides life, He also preserves and sustains life. These were challenged to live their lives in light of this truth. Each day was a gift from God, the giver of life, and it was to be lived in honor and service to Him. The Lord had preserved them thus far, and He would continue to do so as long as He pleased. They were to acknowledge the awesome provision of God in sustaining their life.
The Lord has numbered our days. He has graciously provided the lives we enjoy. He has determined our end of days, and those we have left to enjoy are given by His good hand. We should honor the Lord with the life He has provided, seeking to live each day to the fullest, for His honor and glory!
C. He is our Satisfaction (20b) – for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Moses reminded them of the covenant promise made to Abraham. The land they were about to inhabit had been promised hundreds of years prior. God would be faithful to provide for them, and they would enjoy His abundant provision in the land.
Man likes to view himself as the master of his ship, the director of his destiny. In reality, it is God who directs our path and provides the blessings we enjoy. Every blessing we have received has come from the gracious hand of God. Apart from Him, our lives would cease to exist. Even those who have rejected the Gospel, enjoy life according to God’s grace. Were it not for the Lord, none would exist. I pray we are aware of His gracious provision, and strive to live in a way that shows our affection and appreciation.
Conclusion: You are here today because of the provision of God. He has allowed each of us to enjoy another day of life. Each day we live, we face choices in life. As the Word admonishes – choose life! If you are yet unsaved, you don’t know real life. Come to Christ and live!
