Remember and Return
V.19b-20 Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life…
As Deuteronomy draws to a close and the Israelites are about to enter the promised land, Moses urges the people to remember the Lord and to return to him when they stray. This is the moment they, the new generation, must choose life, they must choose God.
Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, we have heard the call to love the LORD. Frequently it is part of a trifold command to also walk in God’s ways, and obey his commands.The last time this command to love the LORD appears it is said to love the Lord, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. This speaks of a tenderness in the relationship God desires with his people. He desires to be near, so near we can hear his voice. He calls us to be so near to him that we cling to him with immense intimacy. He is their life and this is the way to choose life.
Sometimes in the busyness, we can offer God crumbs of our lives. We pray, “Lord give me strength for this day. Go with me.” We sit around the dinner table and exhaustedly pray, “thank you for providing this food, for the people gathered around the table.” While the Lord does take delight in such prayers, he yearns for something more from us. He years for our whole heart. He yearns for us to walk closely enough to listen to his voice. He yearns for us to cling to him, the source of our life.
Choosing God is the only way the generation of Israelites entering the land can choose life. God is our life, if we separate the two we will set ourselves on a path that leads to death and destruction.
The good news is that even if we have not chosen God in the past, we can choose him and therefore choose life, today. He will purify our hearts (v.6 he will circumcise their hearts).
- How do you express your love to the Lord?
- When was the last time you heard his voice?
- What do you do to cling to him?
PRAYER
Lord, I love you. Thank you that you desire to know me and be known by me. Thank you that you speak to his people. Help me hear your voice more clearly. Amen.
