Court is now in session. The ruling is…?

…up to you. Every day court is in session with far more impactful decisions than the so called “Supreme Court” that gaveled its mark on the lives of debt-laden college graduates, heavy-hearted same-sex couples, and underserved college apsirants. The court is the Supreme Supreme Court whose docket you are on, whose ruling is your own making—your life.

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Deuteronomy 30:19-20

On the side of Mount Nebo in Moab, Moses gavels Israel into a session with God for the second giving of the Law, and calls them to a renewal of an ancient covenant first made with father Abraham—a promise of blessing and curses, life and length of days. The stage is set like a courtroom. Sitting in the witness box are celestial creation’s most qualified eyes—heaven and earth. God sits as Supreme Judge. The issue: choosing a life that blesses. There are three requirements in that choice: loving God, obeying God, and living a faithful life.

“by loving the LORD your God”. First, a blessed life requires a relationship with God based on love. Most human relationships are relationships of convenience and comfort, of what you get out of it. But God wants to be more than “friends with benefits”. Deuteronomy 6: 5 calls for you to love God “with all your heart, soul and might.” When you do, the benefits are “it will go well with you and that you may multiply greatly (Deut. 6:3). Those benefits are not because of, but despite of, your actions, but because of His heart towards you and your heart for him. David, despite his adultery, was given grace because David was “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). Choose love and you choose life.

“by obeying His voice”. Second, a blessed life requires obedience. Deuteronomy 6:3 calls Israel to “listen and be careful to do [it], that it may be well… [in] a land flowing with milk and honey.” So important is obedience, Israel is required to recite the Shema — “Hear O Israel, hear, the Lord is one…” (Deut. 6:4)—four times a day. Shema “means to hear. It is also the Hebrew word for obey. Obedience is inextricably linked to hearing. Exodus 19:5 s affirms that obedience is also inextricable required of a relationship with God: Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, Ex. 19:5. Achan did not make obedience to God a part of his life. He kept banned battle contraband. It cost Israel a victory and it cost him and his family their life (Joshua 7). Choose obedience and you choose life.

“By holding fast to Him”. Lastly, a blessed life is a faithful (to God) life. Nothing will taint your relationship with God and void blessings than idolatry—having a relationship with another god other than the “Shema” one true God. Unfaithfulness to God is literally a matter of life and death according to Deuteronomy 8:19: It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Never far from the memory of this new generation of Hebrew were the fate of the first generation of Hebrews who were judged for worshiping the golden calf: “The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died” (Exodus 32:28). Without faith and faithfulness, it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6. Choose faithfulness and you choose life.

Court is now in session. The ruling is up to you. Every day court is in session with far more impactful decisions than the so called “Supreme Court” that gaveled its mark on the lives of debt-laden college graduates and heavy-hearted same-sex couples. The court is the Supreme’s Court whose docket you are on, whose ruling is your own making—your life. Heaven and earth are your witnesses. Choose a life of love, obedience and faithfulness. Nine robed men and women in Washington don’t have the final word.

You do.