Deuteronomy 11:26 - What Are You Choosing Today?

Deu.11:26: What Are You Choosing Today?

Deu 11:26 (TEV)  Today I am giving you the choice between a
blessing and a curse--a blessing, if you obey the commands of the LORD
your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey
these commands and turn away to worship other gods.

A blessing and a curse. Implying man's free will and power of
choice. God commands, but man is free to choose whether he will obey
[SDA Commentary]

The blessing was to be theirs for obedience and the curse for
disobedience. [Expositors Bible Commentary]

It is amazing that God set before the Israelites a choice
between blessings and curses. It is even more amazing that most of them,
through their disobedience, chose the curses. We have the same
fundamental choice today. We can live for ourselves or live in service to
God. To choose our own way is to travel on a dead-end road, but to
choose God's way is to receive eternal life (John 5:24). [Life
Application SB]

This blessing is provided within the context of a unique
relationship. God made a commitment to Abraham to bless his offspring (Gen.
12; 17). But each generation and each Israelite had to personally
accept that relationship by faith, and by faith choose to follow the
moral and religious pathway God laid down in Moses' Law. God still
stands poised to pour out blessings on His people. But we too must
choose the path that leads to blessing. As Deut. 11:26-28 says, there
is blessing "if you obey the commands of the Lord your God" but a
"curse if you disobey . . . and turn from the way". [Victor Bible
Reader's Companion]

We have broken the law, and are under its curse, without remedy
from ourselves. In mercy, the gospel again sets before us a blessing
and a curse. A blessing, if we obey the call to repentance, to faith
in Christ, and newness of heart and life through him; an awful
curse, if we neglect so great salvation. Let us thankfully welcome
these glad tidings of great joy; and let us not harden our hearts, but
hear this voice of God while it is called to-day, and while he
invites us to come to him upon a mercy-seat. Let us be diligent to make
our calling and election sure. [Matthew Henry Commentary]

This basic principle has never changed: if we obey God's Word
from the heart, He will bless us and our labors; but if we disobey
Him, He will send a curse and chasten us. Obedience is the key to
happiness. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]

The opposite of a blessing is a curse. As God's blessing brings
vitality, so His curse takes it away. People become sick, suffer, and die
(1 Cor. 11:30; James 1:13-15). [Nelson SB]

Loyal obedience leads to covenant blessing. Disobedience leads
to covenant curses which involves suffering. God's people cannot
blame suffering on Him. [Disciple SB]

Acts 5:32b (TEV)  the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to those
who obey him."

The attitude of receiving and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our
lives is to be the continual attitude of a believer. [My Utmost For
His Highest re Luk.24:49]

If we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then
each moment as it comes is precious. [In His Time; My Utmost For His
Highest re Mar.6:45]

2 Chr 16:9a (NIV)  For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the
earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

The source of Christ's victory, the secret of His power, and of
ours, lies in obedience .... In an obedient heart there is a way
prepared for God.  There are many Christians who always seek pleasure and
satisfaction for themselves.  These have not yet learned that only obedient
children are happy children.  That which in truth brings abiding
happiness is nothing else than obedience toward God.  For a healthy soul
there is only one thing that counts - to be obedient.
Why have so many of God's lambs so little assurance of
salvation?  Why are their souls not satisfied with the peace of God?  God
gives us the answer in Isa.48:18: "Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my
commandments!  Then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as
the waves of the sea."  People say, "I lack faith.  I have too
little faith; therefore I have no assurance of salvation, no peace."
But in most instances it is not faith which is lacking, for even
with a trembling hand one can receive costly gifts.  It is rather
obedience which is lacking.  There is something in their lives which they
will not let go, and which hinders the Holy Spirit from giving them
the assurance that they are God's children ... No one who is
disobedient to God can have confidence in Him.  Confidence is a result of
obedience. G. Steomberger [Time with God SB]

Our Lord never insists on having authority over us. He never
says, "You will submit to me." No, He leaves us perfectly free to
choose--so free, in fact, that we can spit in His face or we can put Him to
death, as others have done; and yet He will never say a word. But once
His life has been created in me through His redemption, I instantly
recognize His right to absolute authority over me. It is a complete and
effective domination, in which I acknowledge that "You are worthy, O Lord"
(Revelation 4:11). It is simply the unworthiness within me that refuses to
bow down or to submit to one who is worthy.  If our Lord insisted on
our obedience, He would simply become a taskmaster and cease to have
any real authority. He never insists on obedience, but when we truly
see Him we will instantly obey Him. Then He is easily Lord of our
life, and we live in adoration of Him from morning till night. [My
Utmost For His Highest re Joh.13:13]