I’ve been reading Deuteronomy 28-30 where God lays out for the Israelites the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The curses came because they did not choose to serve God joyfully and gladly during the time of prosperity (28:47). During good times the natural thing is for us to lose our focus on God. So God says life and blessings must be intentionally chosen. Reaping death and curses is our default position (30:19-20). Once the Israelites were settled in the Promised Land, they defaulted to disobedience rather than obedience. We must continually choose life and choose God.
Adrian Timmons 