A Basic Question
Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 30:11-20
What I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11
There were times when business customers at our bank were not able to pay back the money they had borrowed. And the bank was often embarrassed to realize that it had failed to ask some basic questions when it had first supplied the loan. It should have asked,
? Who is going to buy the new product this business wants to make?
? Can this company sell its product at a profit, or will it be losing money?
? Is the potential borrower the owner of the property that is offered as security for the loan?
In Deuteronomy, the people are reminded of God's covenant with them as they prepare to enter the promised land. And they must not forget the basic question at the root of their relationship with God: Will you follow the way of life or the way of death? The way of disobedience to God would lead to death and destruction. And the way of obedience to God would lead to life and blessings, now and forever.
The wise answer was obvious: choose life!
This basic question was not just for the ancient Israelites. It comes to each one of us today, as we consider the direction for our life in response to the call of God.
The answer is still obvious: Follow the way of obeying God. Choose life!
Our Father, the choice you lay before us should not be difficult. But we need your Spirit alive in our hearts and minds to choose wisely and to live in obedience to you. Amen.
About the author — Fred Bultman
Fred Bultman began a “second career” as a pastor in 1997, after a first career in the banking business. He served as pastor to congregations in the U.S. and Canada. In retirement, he continues to enjoy sharing in the ministry of the churches in and around his home in Fremont, Michigan.
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