Choose Life

1 Kings 17:1-6

　
　
Choices… we make them every day, from small decisions to big ones. Some of them have very little consequence. Others can change the rest of our lives. For instance, if you’re like me, you might take the same route to work every day. But suppose one day you decide to go a different way and as a result you are in a serious car accident… choices.

Moses laid out a choice to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31. "I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction". If only every decision we make were so clear it wouldn’t be a problem, but that isn’t the case. Sometimes we make decisions based on feelings or desires and not on our understanding of God’s word and will for our lives.

Elijah made his decisions based on doing God’s will. Ahab, the King of Israel, didn’t. As a result the people of Israel during this time were judged and cursed with a drought while Elijah lived with his needs miraculously met by God. The consequences for both of them were the result of their decisions to serve or not to serve the living God of Israel.

In Deuteronomy Moses said to Israel:

"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."

Elijah chose life because he served the living God of Israel. How many times during the day do we have that type of choice to make? It may not seem like it at the time, but the ripples of our small decisions can lead to life or death.

So choose to serve the living God of Israel. Choose life "so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him". What more could you want?
　
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%2017%3A1-6&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/1Kgs.17.1-1Kgs.17.6