On the Move - Wisdom for the Journey
Live with Hope
Often in Scripture, following a strong warning regarding the judgment or discipline of God for those who ignore God’s grace and go their own way (29:19-28), we find the loving offer of hope available to all who will turn to the Lord their God. We are provided the opportunity to live with “the sure and confident expectation of receiving what God has promised us in the future.” Praise God that even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful to those who turn to Him.
Two wonderful promises we can confidently expect to receive from God on the journey:
1. Restoration - whenever we turn from ignoring His grace and stop going our own way (vs. 1-10)
- Genuine repentance leads to restoration, peace with God, and enjoying the blessing of God (cf. 2 Chron. 7:14; Joel:2-13; Mk. 1:14-15; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19-21; 26:20)
- The ability to repent, be restored, and remain loyal to our covenant relationship with God is because of His divine grace and work in our hearts (Ezk. 36:26-27; Eph. 2:4-5)
- We can live with great hope on the journey knowing that the Lord our God is eternally committed to His people (cf. Josh. 21:45; Jn. 6:38-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:1-2, 38-39; Phil. 1:6)
Where are you on the journey? Do you have peace with God and are you enjoying the peace of God? If not, there is still hope for you. Even if you have turned your heart away from God and have gone your own way, that does not have to be the end of your story. Repent from your sin, turn to the Lord, and you will find Him waiting to forgive and restore you.
2. Life and Blessings - whenever we make the right choice (vs. 11-20)
- Choosing life and living obediently in covenant relationship with God is absolutely possible by His grace and power (cf. Rom. 10:6-13; 2 Pt. 1:3-4)
- The right choice is to choose life by “loving the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him, and keeping his commands, decrees and laws” (cf. Dt. 27:10; 1 Sam. 15:22; 1 Jn. 5:3)
- Making the wrong choice by allowing your heart to turn away (be drawn away) and disobediently worship other gods is a terrible mistake (cf. Dt. 11:26-28; Prov. 14:12; Rom. 6:23)
By God’s grace, have you made the decision to choose life (Josh. 24:15)? If so, does your whole life reflect your love and allegiance to Him or are there areas in your life where you are walking in disobedience to His commands? If you have not made the decision to choose life, perhaps today God is drawing you in your mind and heart to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, so that you, too, can “be saved and live” (Isa. 55:6-7; Mt. 11:15, Rom. 10:9).
Today God has set before us life and prosperity, death and destruction; Choose life!
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