Decisions/Guidance
Deuteronomy 1:10-17 – The Lord your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!) How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him. Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
When Moses appointed men to assist him in judging among the children of Israel, he established specific requirements:
1. They should not be a respecter of persons. This will ensure everyone will be heard without any specific prejudice or undo influence (i.e. bribe).
2. They will hear small and great cases. This would allow everyone to be treated fairly. One person or will not be considered more important than another.
Reference: Joshua 9:3-27
God told Moses that they were to smite and utterly destroy the inhabitants of the lands they were to possess (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). The neighboring country of Gibeon was in fear of their lives and sought to deceive the Israelites (Joshua 9:24). To act as if they were from a far country, they came to them with old sacks upon their donkeys, old wine bottles, old shoes, old garments, and even dry and moldy bread (Joshua 9:4-6). Though the men of Israel suspected they were of the neighboring country, the men made their decision without consulting the Lord on the matter. Joshua then made a league with them to let them live, and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.
When they travelled through Gibeon to destroy the city, the Israelites were reminded of their oath, though they were deceived. Joshua honored his oath and allowed them to live. The people of Gibeon became bondmen, and hewers of wood and water for the altar of the Lord (Joshua 9:22-27).
Be mindful to seek the counsel of the Lord before entering into agreements, contracts, and business arrangement with others.
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There is one thing you have been given since birth that will remain forever. It can be worth more than the finest riches or be compared to mere pennies. It can become your greatest asset or your worse ally. And though you can earn millions of dollars throughout your lifetime, it will never compare to what you have been given at birth, if you consider its true worth. It takes years to build and only moments to lose. And you have complete control over its value: a good name.
Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Genesis 41:33-36 – Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
After Pharaoh told the two dreams to Joseph, he spoke to Pharaoh on what answer the Lord would provide. In providing the interpretations, he revealed the coming of seven plenteous years and seven years of famine. Joseph stated Pharaoh should look for a discreet and wise man to be placed over Egypt and gather a fifth part of food from the plenteous years in order to prepare for the famine.
In a personal application, the Lord often shows us visions via dreams, people, His Scriptures, etc. Just as Joseph implemented a plan in response to the dreams, we should prepare as well. Many people are looking to receive a ‘word’ from God, but may not do anything to prepare for its coming.
When God shows you what’s to come, make sure you’re ready for it.
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
When thinking about this Psalm, considered the times you were in a dark room unable to see. Without the ability to see exactly what’s around you, you’re prone to bump into one of a bed post, dresser, or television stand. You can injure yourself while trying to navigate to another part of the room.
As we live in a world surrounded by darkness, we’re often injured by trials, tribulations, and sin. No matter how badly we want to navigate through this dark place, we will only hurt ourselves and others without God’s Word. It is God’s Word that will allow us to see where we have been, keep us mindful of the steps ahead, and allows us the opportunity to choose the path we know we should be on (Psalm 1:1, Psalm 37:23). However, we can’t flick God’s Word on and off when convenient. We must stay in His Word and allow it to guide our steps.
The light is available to us…we only need to use it.
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/timschell
1. There are times when we will not accept God’s will because it is not inline with what we want to do or believe is right at the time. In reading the story of Jonah, he was called of God to go to Ninevah to cry against it. Jonah therefore arose and fled from the presence of God in the opposite direction of Ninevah (Jonah 1:1-3). After he spoke against the city, it is discovered that He didn’t want to see the people of Ninevah repent of their evil (Jonah 4:1-3). He knew God would forgive them if they repented of their evil.
There are many things God will call us to do. Many times they will come without notice and may even challenge the way we believe or feel toward the intended audience…and we may not want to do what He asked us.
The hardest part for many people is to accept His will for them.
Don’t open your mouth when:
1. In the heat of anger- Proverbs 14:17, [He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
2. When you don’t have all the facts- Proverbs 18:13, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
3. When you haven’t verified the story- Deuteronomy 17:6, At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
There are many reasons why we make the decisions we do. When we look back at the outcome of some of the decisions we made, sometimes we can’t understand how we got into such predicaments, how to get out of them, or what we can do to live as God desires. Listed below is an outline of why we make the decisions we do; the consequences behind them; and how we can make good (and godly) decisions.
1. What consumes our decision making?
- Fear of Man (Proverbs 29:25; John 12:37-43)
- Motives (Proverbs 16:2; James 4:2-3)
- Friend of the World (1 John 2:15-17)
- Emotions (Proverbs 19:2)
- Sin/Temptation (John 3:19-21)
Why we do something is just as important (if not more important) than what we do for someone. We may do great works for others, but the true intent may not be to bless them, but to be seen; receive special recognition or favors; money; or something of personal gain (Proverbs 16:2, 21:27). Though our motives may not be recognizable from the outside, they are never hidden from God – whom we must give an account on the Day of Judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). In our daily living, we must ensure our motives are pure and righteous before man and the Lord.
If your motives aren’t right, you should think twice before proceeding.
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/lauralucia
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