Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Do you feel lucky? ∙∙

Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. – Deuteronomy 30:15

Deuteronomy 30:15-19

 15 Look! I have set life and prosperity before you on the one hand and death and disaster on the other.

 16 I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, walk in his ways, and obey his commandments, statutes, and ordinances. Then you will live and become numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land which you are about to possess.

 17 However, if you turn aside and do not obey but are lured away to worship and serve other gods,

 18 I declare to you this very day that you will certainly perish! You will not extend your time in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

 19 Today, I invoke heaven and earth as a witness against you that I have set life and death, blessing and curse, before you. Therefore, choose life so that you and your descendants may live!

Released in 1971, the film “Dirty Harry” achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. In recognition of it being “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant,” the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012. This iconic movie not only left a lasting impact but also pioneered a new genre of police film

Clint Eastwood portrayed the role of Inspector Dirty Harry Callahan, working in the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). Dirty Harry Callahan foils a bank robbery. Dirty Harry takes action, shooting two robbers and holding the third one at gunpoint. The tense situation reaches its peak when the third robber surrenders, intimidated by Dirty Harry’s memorable ultimatum:

“I know what you’re thinking: ‘Did he fire six shots or only five?’ Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kind of lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off; you’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’

Well, do you, punk?’”

Every day, we all make choices, ranging from simple ones like the color of our clothes to more significant decisions such as how we spend our spare time, what media we consume, and our food preferences. Each person has the freedom to make their own choices. Some choices are of little consequence. At the same time, others are very momentous and life-changing. Some have eternal consequences. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But not everyone has a right to their own Truth (Lutzer).

Ultimately, from the Father’s perspective, choices are black or white, good or evil, wise or foolish.

REFLECT & PRAY

“We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives” (William Glasser).

Father in my lifetime, I have made so many poor choices. Thank You that You are my counselor. Encourage me to make better choices, the right choices, and the best possible choices.

INSIGHT

In the Ancient Near East, during the time of Moses, when treaties were made, and contracts were agreed upon, people would invoke witnesses to their ratification. Often the witnesses were their gods. This practice persists in the modern American justice system, where individuals are asked to “swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”

In Deuteronomy, the Father Himself is a partner to the Mosaic Covenant. He cannot invoke anyone higher than Himself as a witness. Consequently, heaven and earth are called as His witnesses.

Pause for a moment and consider that the outcomes we experience are shaped by the choices we make. How do we get what we want when we are discontent and frustrated with what we have? It is crucial to acknowledge that getting what we truly desire requires making better choices.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

The smart move is to gather as much helpful information as possible. We have the revealed truth of the Word of God available to us. We can seek knowledgeable and wise counselors to empower us to make the most informed decisions, leading to the best possible outcomes.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance, people fall, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety in having many advisers.

Proverbs 12:15 Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

In His image, the Father created us, endowing us with minds to think, hearts to feel, and a will to make choices. The Father urges us to make righteous decisions. We are not mere robots; instead, we can hear God’s Word, learn God’s will, and decide to obey or disobey (Wiersbe).

Making decisions, in itself, is not a difficult task, but making the correct choices is an entirely different matter. What are the consequences of our actions?

The Father has presented the most crucial choices in clear and straightforward terms, making them easy to comprehend. Life and goodness lie on one side, while death and evil loom on the other. Who really wants to choose death? Perhaps only the desperate, the despondent, and the depressed might consider such a choice.

Just to be clear, what are the choices? Choosing to love and obey the Father leads to life and goodness while rejecting the Father results in death and evil.

Do you feel lucky?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 6-2-1

© Dr. H 2023