Good and Bad Choices

Good and Bad Choices

Scripture Reading: Joshua 24:1-24

If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land your are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Josh. 24:15 NASB)

Life is a series of choices and consequences. Step in front of a car, and you will face the consequences of that choice. Refuse to obey your boss’s order and repercussions will follow. If you choose bitterness because of something someone said or did, you will suffer the by-product of bitterness—a dried up soul. On the other hand, faithfulness to a colleague or friend results in deepened relationships, and obedience to God and others often brings blessings in disguise.

     Consider for a moment some of the “could haves” of Joseph’s life. Joseph could have been bitter for what his brothers did to him with good reason—but he wasn’t. He could have shaken his fist at god for the injustice of prison—but he didn’t He could have displayed an angry tantrum because of the trials and difficulties—but he didn’t. He could have been angry with God for not answering his prayers the way he thought He should—but he wasn’t. But instead, in each case he chose to do something else. He gave God the glory for bringing good out of bad.

     Joshua was faced with a choice either to follow God and lead the people into the Promised land, or to stand aside and let someone else do it. He was God’s chosen leader to take the place of Moses, and he chose to fulfill his commission. At one point he said, “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).

     Life is a matter of choices, not chances. The choices we all face today may be similar to those of Joseph and Joshua. Bitterness or forgiveness—serving self or serving God. Self-pity over the past or putting the past behind you. Let’s practice making faith choices instead of selfish ones. Chances are good you won’t find yourself standing before the world’s most powerful leader. But then again, you will ultimately stand before God and answer to Him.

     Where do you stand on the issue of good or bad choices? Are you willing to look past the bad and choose the good? Are you willing to put aside self-gratification and bring glory to God?

     Choose today who you will serve!

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are Almighty God creator of heaven and earth and all that is therein. Help me to make the kind of choices that bring glory to your name.