Choose life that you and your offspring may live. Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV

We try to make life very difficult and, often, we’re successful. We ponder our paths and ask ourselves deep philosophical questions.

What is the meaning of it all? What mark am I supposed to leave on the world? Why can I remember every lyric to every Garth Brooks song ever but can’t seem to recall why I walked upstairs?

After spending a decade or four wandering through the wilderness, God’s people were on the verge of the promised land. Moses gives the people a word on how to thrive in the land they are about to enter.

Choose life.

It’s as simple as that. Moses assures them that there wasn’t, in fact, anything complicated or difficult about it (Deuteronomy 30:11.)

You and I have the same two options as the children of Israel. We can choose to love, obey and cling to God and have life or we can pursue false gods and have death (Deuteronomy 30:16-18.) In every season and situation, the options are the same. Will we choose life or death?

Chasing false gods always leads to death because idols can never offer us God breath. That should be the determining factor in every decision we make. We don’t need to ask if something will bring us pleasure or pain? We don’t have to concern ourselves with whether a path will lead to happiness or hardship. It doesn’t matter if our choice will make us popular or make us a target.

The question is always the same. Is there God breath in this?

This is the only thing that will bring life to us and to our offspring.

Inhale (Meditation): Reveal any hidden idols in my life, Lord. Those things that promise blessings but become burdens. Those things that offer stale air instead of the refreshing breath of Your spirit.

Exhale (Application): Help me, Lord, to be intentional with my time, energy and resources. May I seek relationships and areas of service that bring life to those around me. Make me a source of God breath to others.

***

Did you miss Day 1? No problem! It’s right here.