Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:11–20
Introduction:
Every day presents us with choices. Some are routine—what to eat, what to wear, how to spend the next hour. But beneath those decisions lie deeper, spiritual choices: Who will I trust today? Whose voice will I follow? What kind of person am I becoming?
Deuteronomy 30 captures a profound moment in the life of God’s people. Moses is near the end of his life, and the Israelites are on the verge of entering the Promised Land. He has led them faithfully, interceded for them when they rebelled, and taught them the ways of the Lord. Now, before they cross over into Canaan, he lays before them a clear and powerful challenge: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.”
This isn’t just a farewell speech. It’s the culmination of everything Moses has taught them. And it’s a message we still need today. Because in a culture filled with confusion, compromise, and countless distractions, the call to choose life rings louder than ever. This is about more than just moral choices—it’s about spiritual direction. About shaping a life that reflects the heart of God and leaves a legacy of faith for others to follow.
Before calling the people to make a decision, Moses reminds them that God’s truth isn’t far off. His commands aren’t hidden or out of reach. They’re near—accessible, understandable, and doable. That’s where the journey begins.
1. Recognize That God’s Way Is Within Reach
Moses says in verses 11–14 that the command he’s giving isn’t too difficult or beyond their grasp.
“It is not up in heaven… it is not beyond the sea… the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”
This is a profound truth: God hasn’t left us in the dark. He’s not playing hide-and-seek with His will. He speaks clearly through His Word, and His Spirit helps us understand and apply it. His commandments are not just for the elite or the spiritually advanced—they are for everyone who will listen and respond.
Think of a GPS system in your car or phone. It doesn’t just show you a map—it gives you turn-by-turn directions. And when you make a wrong turn, it recalculates and guides you back. That’s how God leads us. He doesn’t just give us a static list of rules—He walks with us. He speaks through His Word and whispers through His Spirit.
Application: If you’re unsure what to do next in your life, don’t assume God is being silent. Open His Word. Spend time in prayer. Lean into community with other believers. The way of the Lord is near. The question isn’t whether God has made His will known—it’s whether we’re willing to follow it.
Once Moses affirms that God’s Word is accessible, he places the people at a spiritual crossroads. The choice is clear, and the consequences are weight
2. Understand That Every Choice Has Directional Power
“I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction…” (v. 15).
Moses isn’t speaking poetically—he’s speaking prophetically. Obedience to God leads to life. Disobedience leads to death. There’s no middle path. Every decision we make moves us in one of those two directions.
Our spiritual lives don’t drift—they travel. The choices we make, whether in public or private, are taking us somewhere. The way we respond to conflict, how we steward our time, how we treat people, how we nurture our thoughts—all of it shapes our direction.
Imagine a hiker standing at a trailhead with two diverging paths. Both look inviting at the beginning. But one leads to a mountain vista, and the other to a sheer drop. The difference isn’t seen in the first few steps—but eventually, the destination becomes clear. This is how spiritual choices work.
Application: What direction are your current choices pointing you in? What are your habits, words, and values saying about your true destination? Choosing life doesn’t just happen—it requires intentionality, humility, and surrender. Moses was urging the people not just to hear God’s voice, but to obey it in the daily decisions that would shape their future.
But choosing life isn’t merely about moral decisions. It’s about relationship. Moses brings his message to a deeply personal place—choosing life means choosing God Himself.
3. Choose Life by Loving, Listening, and Holding Fast to God
“This day… choose life, so that you and your children may live… love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him” (vv. 19–20).
Choosing life is not about earning God’s favor—it’s about responding to His love. It’s about relationship. It’s about clinging to Him, not just in crisis, but in every season.
Picture a small child walking through a crowded place, gripping their parent’s hand tightly. That grip gives them security, direction, and peace. They may not know where they’re going, but they trust who they’re with. That’s the image Moses gives us—hold fast to the Lord.
Application: How do we love God? By spending time with Him, obeying Him, worshiping Him with all our lives. How do we listen to His voice? By opening His Word daily and quieting the noise of the world. How do we hold fast? By refusing to let go when things get hard, and reminding ourselves daily that life is found in Him, not apart from Him.
Conclusion:
Moses doesn’t end his message with a vague suggestion. He ends with a passionate plea: “Choose life.” And it still echoes today. Because this choice is not just for ancient Israel—it’s for us. Today, you are standing at a spiritual crossroads.
This choice is not just about where you go when you die—it’s about how you live while you’re still breathing. Will you follow God fully, or casually? Will you obey when it’s inconvenient, or only when it’s comfortable? Will you love Him with all your heart—or just enough to look spiritual?
Choosing life is a daily rhythm. It’s a posture of surrender. It’s the resolve to say: I will walk God’s way, not my own. I will trust His Word above my feelings. I will live by faith, not by fear. It means aligning your priorities, your speech, your habits, and your relationships around the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
And don’t forget what Moses says—this isn’t just about you. “So that you and your children may live.” Your choice becomes a legacy. Your obedience becomes a generational blessing. Your faithfulness now plants seeds for a harvest you may never fully see.
So today, with all of heaven watching, and with the Spirit of God stirring your heart—choose life. Not just once, but every day. Choose the narrow road. Choose obedience. Choose devotion. Choose Christ.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a clear choice. Thank You that Your Word is near, that Your grace is abundant, and that Your Spirit empowers us to follow You. Today, we stand at the crossroads, and we say with faith: we choose life. We choose to love You, to listen to Your voice, and to hold fast to You. Forgive us when we stray. Strengthen us when we’re weak. And help us to leave behind a legacy of faith, obedience, and love for the next generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.