Your Redemption is Closer than you Think

Moses Holding a Staff by the Sea with Determined Expression. Concept of Biblical Figures, Divine Guidance, Faith in Adversity Art.

Moses led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness for forty years. He was eighty years old when he started, and he saw the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo on the east side of the Jordan River. It was the end of his journey. His work was done, and he gave his most important message to Israel before he died. He said, “What I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. 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, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 30:11-20).

Choose Life

Jesus’ message is an echo of Moses’ commands, to love the Lord your God and walk in His ways. It is not beyond our reach. God’s creation is our witness that He is real. No other person could do what He has done. No one can explain many of the supernatural events or the miracles that still happen today. Our God is a loving God, and He wants us to know Him and love Him. He is a personal God. He never sleeps or slumbers. He is always available when we call on Him for help. No other god is able to do that. No other god can heal, protect and provide for us. The gods of the nations surrounding the Promised Land were made by human hands or were part of creation. The god-like statues had eyes but could not see, ears that could not hear and mouths that could not speak comfort or counsel. Some of the people worshiped the sun, moon and stars because they let the people know when to plant and when to harvest. Yet, it was God who made the crops grow. It was His handiwork, His design, His provision.

We face the same choice today, to worship the Lord God and experience life or put our trust in something or someone else. Who do you choose? Do you trust yourself or your wealth more than God? Do you make decisions based on your own intelligence and skill? What happens when you fail, when your money is gone, when you lose your job or your house or your loved one? Who do you turn to? O friend, I hope you choose life. Choose the Lord God, and let Him love you and take care of you. You will find His love unconditional, His comfort in any circumstance. Yes, the God of the universe is waiting for you to turn to Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that you oversee the hearts and minds of our readers. I pray they choose life. I pray they choose you, and I pray these things in Jesus’ powerful and precious name. Amen.

Miracles and Curses

Ruins of a Synagogue in Chorazin, Israel

Chorazin was a city north of the Sea of Galilee where the disciples Peter, Andrew and Philip grew up. This is the area near Capernaum and Bethsaida where Jesus carried out His ministry. He taught in the synagogues and healed the sick. However, Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21). It’s a terrible curse when the Lord puts “Woe to you” in front of what He says.

Are you in ministry? Do people always respond to you with appreciation? Probably not. It is disappointing when it seems that all our work is fruitless. I think that is how Jesus felt. Unlike me, though, He did not think He failed. He put the people’s lack of faith where it belonged–on them.

Moses Seat

The synagogue in Chorazin has one of the only Moses Seats in all the ruins of the Holy Lands. In Old Testament times judges, like Moses, sat in these seats to settle disputes among the people. In the New Testament times the Rabbi read the Scriptures from this seat.

I think the city Chorazin began as a place where people worshiped and revered God, but what happened? The hearts of the people grew cold and not even Jesus’ miracles brought about repentance or change. The world we live in is a lot like Chorazin. It began with God’s creation and people loved God, but little by little, their hearts grew numb to His blessings. They chose their ways over His ways. What do you think He thinks of our world? I am afraid He might start His message to earth with, “Woe to you!”

The Bible talks about a Great White Throne Judgement where unbelievers will be held accountable for their choices and how they lived. Believers will also face the Judgement Seat of Christ, not to be judged between good or evil, but He will give rewards for what we accomplished for His glory. What we do on earth will be forgotten, except what we do for the Lord.

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for your word and statutes; for your love and mercy. Help us to respond in love to you and to people. Help us to work revival in this dark world we live in. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.