A young man was in... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that … you … may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19

A young man was in hospital. He was in a serious condition because his life was hanging by a thread. A visitor asked him, “Do you think you’ll get better?” The young man replied, “If I survive this, it will be grace; but if I die, it will be glory!” Only a short time later, it had become glory for him.

Yes, life is grace. And to be healthy and to have enough to eat and to grow old in good health is a special grace. But what about when death occurs? And everyone knows that it will occur: sooner or later, in lucid consciousness or in dementia, expected or unexpected. Will it then be glory – or will it be despair and eternal loneliness; will it be hell, as the Bible calls it?

God puts before each person “life and death” and “blessing and cursing”. God does not force anyone. Everyone can choose: life and blessing, eternal joy and glory, if he chooses God, if he walks with Him; or death and curse, eternal “wailing and gnashing of teeth” if he rejects God or is indifferent to Him (Matthew 13:42).

When Jesus Christ was on earth, He once had to sadly state, “You are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:40). Doesn’t He have to say the same about many people today – perhaps also about someone who is reading this right now?

But still He calls openly and honestly, but also seriously and lovingly: “Choose life that … you … may live”, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live” (Isaiah 55:3). Is it really an option to reject such love?

Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 20:24-42 · Psalms 106:32-48