18 February 2021

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.
Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, NRSV

As they stood on the brink of their entry to the Promised Land, Moses summed up the whole of his preaching for the people by inviting them to make a choice. Their choice was a clear-cut one between life and death. He made it clear that if they chose life then they had wholeheartedly to commit to a living and loving relationship with God. Choosing yes would involve great effort as well as great reward. During Lent, this is the same choice we can make. We can choose whether or not to begin anew and to make the effort to love God and walk in his ways.

• • What sort of prosperity do you think Moses envisaged for those choosing life?
  • What would that prosperity look like today?

Make a plan for yourself for Lent – what can you do (or refrain from) that will help to develop your relationship with God.

Image – meaningfulhope.com