Decisions, Decisions

I’ve been thinking on the importance of making decisions based on what is pleasing to God. Two men from scripture come to mind in this. In Genesis we read of how Lot had a decision to make- to take the land on the right or the left (Genesis 13:1-9).

In verses 10-13 we read, “And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:10-13).

Lot based his decision on immediate gratification. The scripture says ‘he saw’ the valley was well- watered and chose it. He obviously did not consider all the factors involved in that choice-- certainly not the consequences of settling in an area where the scripture tells us the men were,“wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” Lot’s impulsive decision landed him in a very dangerous place, suffering dire consequences. He ended up living in the wicked city of Sodom, to which God sent two angels. They came to Lot and said, “we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life” (Genesis 19:13-17).

The story of Lot demonstrates the importance of making wise decisions based on the teaching of scripture. Certainly Lot could not have foreseen the disastrous results of his decision, but he should have known better than to surround himself with men who “were great sinners against the LORD.” “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Moses was another man from scripture who was confronted with a difficult decision. He was raised in prosperity and could have had great riches throughout his life. He chose, however, to give that all up. In Hebrews 11:24-26 we read, “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Notice the two words at the beginning of the sentence. “By faith.” If we are Christians, we must make our decisions by faith. Moses did this. He chose a life of trials and difficulties-- over temporary comforts-- in faith, believing eternity would produce a far greater reward.

If we are Christians, we, must make decisions in light of eternity-- considering all factors and what is best for us and our loved ones. We should ask ourselves if this decision will please or displease God. Will it bless my loved ones (friends or family members), or will it hurt them? We should never make a decision impulsively based on immediate gratification. Consider first the long term consequences of that decision.

All people suffer consequences of choices and decisions that displease God, however big or little those decisions may be. As Christians, however, we could save ourselves much grief if we would seek God’s wisdom through His word to direct our decision making. In the Psalms we are told, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:104-105). We are also told to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Had Lot sought God’s wisdom and turned away from evil, he would not have suffered such consequences. Sufficient are our trials in life without adding to them through unwise choices and decisions. However, we can be assured that “.. if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials,” (2 Peter 2:7-8).