```markdown
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 28–29, Philippians 3
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life. - Deuteronomy 30:19
A few weeks after the death of a dear friend, I spoke with her mum. I was hesitant to ask how she was doing because I thought it was an inappropriate question; she was ### grieving. But I pushed aside my reluctance and simply asked how she was holding up. Her reply: “Listen, I choose joy.”
Her words ministered to me that day as I struggled to push beyond some unpleasant circumstances in my own life. And her words also reminded me of Moses’ edict to the Israelites at the end of Deuteronomy. Just before Moses’ death and the Israelites’ entrance into the promised land, God wanted them to know that they had a choice. Moses said, “I have set before you life and death . . . . Now choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). They could follow God’s laws and live well, or they could turn away from Him and live with the consequences of “death and destruction” (v. 15).
We must choose how to live too. We can choose joy by believing and trusting in God’s promises for our lives. Or we can choose to focus on the negative and difficult parts of our journeys, allowing them to rob us of joy. It will take practice and relying on the Holy Spirit for help, but we can choose joy—knowing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Reflect: How can you choose joy in spite of your circumstances today? How is choosing joy similar to choosing life as God described to the Israelites?
Pray: Dear God, giver of joy, please help me to choose to follow You and believe and trust You this day.
```
Copyright © ### Bible Study • PrayerRequest. All rights reserved.
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 28–29, Philippians 3
I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life. - Deuteronomy 30:19
A few weeks after the death of a dear friend, I spoke with her mum. I was hesitant to ask how she was doing because I thought it was an inappropriate question; she was ### grieving. But I pushed aside my reluctance and simply asked how she was holding up. Her reply: “Listen, I choose joy.”
Her words ministered to me that day as I struggled to push beyond some unpleasant circumstances in my own life. And her words also reminded me of Moses’ edict to the Israelites at the end of Deuteronomy. Just before Moses’ death and the Israelites’ entrance into the promised land, God wanted them to know that they had a choice. Moses said, “I have set before you life and death . . . . Now choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). They could follow God’s laws and live well, or they could turn away from Him and live with the consequences of “death and destruction” (v. 15).
We must choose how to live too. We can choose joy by believing and trusting in God’s promises for our lives. Or we can choose to focus on the negative and difficult parts of our journeys, allowing them to rob us of joy. It will take practice and relying on the Holy Spirit for help, but we can choose joy—knowing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).
Reflect: How can you choose joy in spite of your circumstances today? How is choosing joy similar to choosing life as God described to the Israelites?
Pray: Dear God, giver of joy, please help me to choose to follow You and believe and trust You this day.
Prayer Focus: God, I ask You in Jesus' name that I will "NOT" be anxious, worry, fear, or stress out. But that I will come to You in prayer about everything and talk it over with You. I will come to You humbly, with sincere intense conviction, and thanksgiving in my heart. Knowing that You can do all things but fail. I will make my request known unto You and wait for Your reply. God let Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus after I pray and talk it over with You. God all that I have asked of You in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of this prayer. Thank You Jesus. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so.
