CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY

 I call heaven to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That  thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days … (Deuteronomy 30: 19- 20b)

We have often been told that man has a will. It is that will in us all that makes us show resistance when we are being forced to do a thing. However what forms as a guide to our resistance is the knowledge that we have about a thing or issue we want or need to decide upon. Every human being is wired in life to make choices. Your action or inaction in life is a choice.

 
For instance, we know that God will bless the work of our hands. But if you choose to lazy about for the day and not accomplish anything; you have indirectly chosen to fail. The fact that you have a desire to be great is immaterial if you insist that you will not make an effort. If you like base your inaction on the fact that God said the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off. I tell you that if that is your reasoning, rest assured that you have with your own hands cut of the expectation. God is not a magician and he will not start being a magician in your time.

FIXED ON HIM

 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)

The beauty of this verse is better appreciated when we read from verse 5. “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be of everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.”  

Interesting verses I would say. A good man is one that shows favour. Showing favour is actually a choice. Favour in this context can be regarded as being considerate, showing passion to somebody’s need. The word used here for the good man’s action was “lend”. The good man shows favour and also lends. He lends because he has hope that what releases will still be returned over time or as agreed.

 
It goes further to say that a good man guides his affairs with discretion. Discretion is the power to decide what should be done in a particular situation. This word comes from “discreet”. Discreet means to be careful in what you say or do, in order to avoid causing embarrassment or difficulty for somebody.  

I dare say at this point that so many questions are popping up in my head right now. Do I show favour? Do I guide my affairs with discretion? Or let me put this way, Am I careful with what I say or do in situations so I do not cause embarrassment or difficulty? These questions should be answered by us at all times because the answers are clear indications of whether or not we are being discreet.

HIS OWN ELECT

 

 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8)

The story of the persistent widow is very popular. But just in case you have never read it then here it is. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself , Though I fear not God , nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith, And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”  The widow needed vindication from the judge and she got it eventually after wearing the judge with unending plea for justice.

 
However my interest is on verses 7 and 8 where Jesus asked a question about our confidence in how just God is in handling issues that concern us even when our impatience is tolerated by God. The widow stood her ground and was convinced that she would get what she wanted eventually. She was not moved by the treatment of the judge. 

It is often amazing how we often conclude easily that just because we prayed in the morning and the answer did not come immediately that God will not answer. Anyway I guess it is because we are “children” of God. After all a child; is usually impatient.
HOLD ON TO YOUR CONFESSION! Trust  God!