Theme: Choices That Build
Character – Series 9
Deuteronomy
30:19-20 NIV: “. . . 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 . . .” KJV: “. . . therefore choose life, that both
thou and thy seed may live: That thou may obey His voice, and that thou may
cleave unto Him: for He is thy life . . .”
I
found that the meaning of two words, hold
fast and cleave give more
illustration of what it really looks like. In ASL, two hands tightly fists as
if holding on to a rope. Hold fast means firmly fixed or bound;
firmly loyal while cleave means hold
on tightly; remain close or to cling to a person or thing closely.
My
thoughts goes back to the “Falling Away Series” and how that many did not choose
to hold on to God as their life. They faced many challenges that causes them to
think that another choices were better than following God. I didn’t realize how
important that right choices does build character and it brings many blessings
from God.
To
understand how that verses came about. Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy on
Chapter 28. The whole chapter 28 was about “The blessings for obedience” (Deut.
28:1-14) and “The curses for disobedience” (Deut. 28:15-68). God explained what He would bless them with
when they choose to hold fast to Him. God gave details what would happened to
those if they do not choose to follow God. The curses were terrible.
Elijah
challenged the people to make up their mind whom they choose, Baal or God. It
is found in 1 King 18:21 Elijah said, “. . . how long will you waver between
two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.” Then Elijah challenged the Baal’s prophets to build
an altar and call down the fire to prove that Baal is God. From morning to
evening, they cried out and nothing happened.
Then
it was Elijah’s turn. He call the people to come near him. He rebuild an altar with
12 stones, put bull on the altar and pour lots of water until the altar was
wet. Elijah prayed, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel, let it be known
this day that thou art God in Israel, . . . Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this
people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their
heart back again.” (1 King18:30-37 KJV)
After
Elijah prayed, the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the altar with bull and
all the waters of the altar. When the
people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God,
the Lord, He is the God. (1 Kings 18:38-40).
The
choices we make about the things we do; about the words we speak; and about the
thoughts we choose to think. How do we strengthen our character? We try spending our time getting to know God
through worship, praise, Bible study, prayer, and silent mediation. Make the choice to know God better today and
every day.
God
bless you!
Dorothy
Song: The Joy of the Lord
The
joy of the Lord is your strength
and He is your life.
The
joy of the Lord is your strength
and He is your life.
He
given us the victory
when our heart is filled
with praises to thee.
The
joy of the Lord is your strength
and He is your life.
(Inspiring Choruses)
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