Choose Wisely...

Yesterday I talked about the decision that I needed to make after the Lord posed the question “What are you going to trust?”   Would I go by sight or by heart?  Well, like the Grail Knight told Indiana Jones after he drank from Jesus’ chalice in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the Lord indicated that “You have chosen wisely.”  But that was in a decision concerning the dog.  What about one that concerns your spouse or your kids, or your job?  What if all the evidence is screaming fear, pain, death or the last paycheck?  How do you make your decision then?

Well, as I reviewed a scripture that was talked about on the ministry program that my wife and I were watching last night just before bed, I believe I received the first step in that decision making process.  In John 14:1 Jesus told his anxious disciples to “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.” (KJV)  In my way of thinking, the key is found in the first two words of the scripture.  Jesus encouraged His followers like you and me to “Let not…”  It would seem that the Lord was saying that the decision to not be troubled and to be at peace was up to us!

In Deuteronomy 30:19 Moses told the children of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land that “I call Heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your seed.” (Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)  In the New Testament, John 1:1-5 tells us that Jesus is the Word of God and that in Him is the life that Moses spoke about in Deuteronomy.  So you can see that Moses and Jesus said the same thing… The decision is up to us and they gave us a vital hint as to the wise decision to make!

Therefore we can deduce from this that the first course of action is take authority over any fear or doubt and immediately choose to be at peace because you are choosing to trust in the overwhelming truth of the life of God’s Word to prevail in the midst of the situation you are facing!  I realize that this may sound a little ludicrous, but I remember feeling a distinct sense of peace, confidence and joy when the specialist we were going to a few years ago basically told us that there was nothing left for them to do concerning my wife’s situation.  I drove home from San Francisco that day KNOWING that at that point, her life was completely and totally in God’s hands!

And even though we had already made the choice of life through Him and the truth of His Word, that fateful day firmly entrenched us on a path where, as far as we are concerned, there is NO turning back!  I think that is why I can make it over the ups and downs, through the days when things look worse and then rejoice at even the smallest hint of improvement!  The only thing that really matters is what I see and know in the Word.  What I see with my eyes or the negative report I may hear from the doctor is NOT the truth.  Those things do not carry life within them!  Only the Word of God brings life and light to our situations.

So how will you choose today?  Will you be like the one seeking the physical gratifications of the fountain of youth and choose poorly and perish?  Or seek after the life and light of God’s eternal truth and choose wisely?  Well, I’ll be like Jesus and Moses and give you a hint… “Choose life so that you and your children may life.” (The Message)  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting TO CHOOSE today?”