Every day we are faced with choices. How will I react when someone treats me unkindly and without respect; or criticizes me in a way I feel is unfair? Will pride get the upper hand and lead me to retaliate in some way or to withhold friendship and keep the offender at a distance? How will I respond to being let down or disappointed; cheated or scammed; robbed or attacked? Will I love my enemies? Will I pray for them? Will I forgive them? Or will I keep a record of wrongs and invite bitterness into my heart? We must remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but the evil powers behind their sin.

When the people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, Moses addressed them all – men, women and children – and presented them with a series of choices. He made it abundantly and graphically clear what the serious consequences would be if they chose to reject God's way and follow their own inclinations.

The first choice was between a blessing and a curse.

The second choice was between good and evil.

The third choice was between life and death.

In the event, despite all that God had done for them in rescuing them from Egypt; leading them through the Red Sea; caring for them in the terrible wilderness; choosing them to be his treasured possession; giving them his life-giving commandment and making a wonderful covenant with them; they chose a curse, evil and death. Why? Primarily because they wanted to be like the other nations and didn't recognize this as disloyalty and unfaithfulness to God even though it centred around the worship of pagan gods. The New Testament tells us these are in the Bible as warnings not to follow their example. The Christian life is truly a battle and we need to rally round and be there for each other.