“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:11-20
I can’t. It’s too hard. That’s impossible. These may be reasons we whine regarding God’s precepts, but they are no excuse. Not only is God’s word available and full of encouragement, but God’s regenerating and enervating Spirit who dwells within gives desire and strength to follow. (Psalm 19:7-11; John 14:16-17)
Every day we set priorities and make choices. Our loves and our beliefs dictate both. If we want above all else to get ahead in life, to succeed materially, to be recognized or amass likes or get applauded, our energy will be spent in specific directions. We’ll set our course and run, disregarding anyone and anything that hinders our achieving those goals.
But if the Lord has instilled spiritual hunger for Him, His kingdom and word and righteousness, we will choose to seek first those things, and tailor our days to do so. We will deliberately set our minds on things above and take delight in His truth. We will commune with Him and bring every decision to prayer and under the scope of the Word. (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2)
What excuses do we make that are really veiled admissions of spiritual apathy, sloth, or prurient desires? In what areas are we given to wayward affections that trump righteous desire, and what will we do to reverse that? How can we soak anew in the powerful and good word of God so our minds are renewed and appetites transformed? (Romans 12:1-2)
Oh Father, help me seize Your possible, determined to keep Your word and so bring You the honor You deserve.
As the rain and snow 