Faith Choices

Scripture Reading: Joshua 24:1-28

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve…as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. (Josh. 24:15 NLT)

You are running for your life when you suddenly come to a crossroads! Decision time—which path will you choose? You can’t follow both. One offers a clear way, while the other appears to have some twists and turns. Which one will you take? Will it be the one that appears to be a clear path, or the one with twists and turns? From the moment we wake up in the morning, we face decisions—some are big, some small. We must decide what clothing to wear, food to eat, chores to do, places to go and people to see. Should I spend time with the Lord, take a walk, visit a neighbor, bake, study, shop, read—all are choices waiting to be made.

     We can cite countless choices that Old Testament Bible characters faced. Here are just a few:

Adam and Eve—should we eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or remain obedient?

Abraham—should I tell the Egyptians that Sarai is my wife, or tell them she is my sister?

Lot—should I choose to live in Sodom and Gomorrah or remain in the plains?

Moses—should I speak to the rock like God said, or strike it in my anger?

 Joshua and Caleb—should we give a good report or go along with the crowd?

David—should I confess that I have sinned against Uriah and his wife, Bathsheba, or cover it up?

Samson—should I trust in Jehovah and live for him, or live for my own selfish interests?

*You will notice that each one of these choices carries with it a positive or negative result.

     Paul faced a similar faith choice on his way to Damascus. A blinding light struck him down, and a voice said, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Paul was on his way to arrest and imprison Christians. He thought he was doing the will of God. He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” Wow! Paul was faced with a life-changing decision? Would he submit to Jesus’ authority, or remain persistent in his quest?

     If we want to please God and obey him fully, we need to make good “faith choices.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am determined to make a faith choice and follow you in obedience today.