Deuteronomy 30 A CALL TO COMMITMENT There were times in the lives of the Israelites when they turned away from God and because of this found themselves under the blight of failed growing seasons, bondage from other people and all for which they had hoped and enjoyed, had been taken away from them. Yet God assured them if and when they returned to Him, He would receive them. If they followed His way, their prosperity would return and they could again enjoy His blessings. In our failures, short-comings and disobedience, God is willing to show his mercy toward us. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Those who wander far from His will and His way, can find acceptance when they come back to Him. He will give us a new beginning. To walk in God's ways and do His commands are within our reach. He will restore to us "the years that the locusts have eaten."
God does not hide Himself to remain secret or to keep far away from us. His words are not hidden from us. They are not beyond our reach nor our understanding. God Himself is "near unto all that call upon Him out of a pure heart." Obedience to God is reasonable. His demands are expressed in ways that make sense. The laws He gave are good laws and right for the purpose for which they have been given. The proper conduct of life is able to be maintained and will keep confusion and chaos from running rampant in countries, communities, assemblies, families and personal life.
Not only are God's commands reasonable, but they are sensible. They are not obscure words that need some kind of mystical powers to grasp nor are they so obfuscated that we cannot understand them. They are clear, concise and easily understood when we apply the principles of righteousness to them. There is a sensibility to what God says that is not accepted by those who want to find excuses for their sin. When the stated principles of God's word are obeyed, there is a beneficial effect on many areas of our lives. God sets them before us clearly, and very plainly tells us the consequences that can be expected if we follow what He says - or if we don't. "Blessing and cursing" are not hard concepts to understand. Blessings mean spiritual and perhaps even physical benefits will come to us. Cursing is a way of expressing not only loss, but the effect it will have on other around us.
The contrast of life and death impresses us with the fact that growth to maturity, a quality of living, a sense of meaning and purpose to our existence is one option we have. Death indicates that we will be separated from all that has value and purpose. There is uselessness that is associated with death that makes human experience hopeless and valueless. Separation from God is spiritual death. Separation of the physical body from the soul and spirit is physical death. Eternal death is permanent separation from God, hope, purpose, meaning of existence, but also separated to hell and ultimately the lake of fire. Good and evil have no connection, only contrast. Even the spelling of the words: God is good; the devil is evil, is a contrast. To love God means I appreciate Him, value Him and will gladly follow Him. To follow Him gives me a reason for living and assurance when dying. To live for Him now means I have made a commitment to God that I will gladly yield my will to His revealed will and do entrust myself and everything about me to Him.
It is wise parents who recognize the impact of their choices upon the children in their home. We cannot excuse ourselves from the consequences of our decisions, whether the results are good or bad. Love for the Lord and an earnest desire to please Him will promote my desire to obey Him and cleave to Him. Paul said, "For me to live is Christ," and there was no question to the fact that he did not only live for Christ, but Christ was his life.
The real meaning for our lives comes when we see ourselves as God intends for us to be and we strive to fulfill that expectation. In a family or even an assembly of God's people, there is a positive impact on other members when one or more in that group love God to the extent that they are prepared to do whatever God wants in spite of the personal cost. The ultimate result will be a confident person who trusts the Lord, will love Him, serve Him, obey Him and follow Him. Then we can trust God to lead those who follow our lead to take them where He wants them and to accomplish that for which He has equipped us.