"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." (Deu 30:19-20 NKJV)
Back in 1969 The Rolling Stones released their “Let it Bleed” album. The last track on that record would go on to be a hit, finding a spot on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s title and melancholy chorus states, “You can’t always get what you want”. It’s a message that resonates with our experience. We want things but are denied them or sadder still we get them and they fail to bring us the pleasure we envisioned. This frustration leads us to agree we can’t always get what we want. But just the opposite is true. You always get what you want. You just didn’t realize the implications of your choices.
We all have choices and those choices have consequences. Some lead to life and blessing, and others to cursing and death. We all want life and blessing but so many times we choose cursing and death. Why?
Picture life as a road stretched out before you. A road that you have never traveled before. As you walk along the road forks and you must choose to go right or left. How will you decide? Other traveler’s who passed on before you have left signs. This way to prosperity. This way to popularity. Go right for peace. Go left for satisfaction. The signs are numerous and contradictory. After reading all the signs you are no better off. You still do not know which road leads to your desired destination. While you are trying to make up your mind, the clouds coalesce into words that clearly show you which way leads to blessing and life and which way leads to cursing and death. That’s what these verses from Deuteronomy tell us. God has shown us the way of blessing and life. It is the way of obedience to Him. It is a path of loving God. The other road is the way of self. It’s the “way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)
So on which path will you walk? What road will you choose?
Remember you always get what you want. So choose wisely.