WEDNESDAY IN THE WORD    August 23, 2023

“WHEN DECISION MAKING IS CRITICAL”

“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

ISAIAH 30:21 NIV

There will always be difficult decisions that we will have to make along the journey of life. They will involve every aspect of our living. Our family, friends, employment, faith and all of the relationships we will be confronted with. It’s difficult to know whether or not the choice we have made is the correct one, until we are in the midst of it. When we choose the easier way without hesitation, over a more challenging one, we might find that they offer us the same exact results. We should grow to make choices with “Godly” confidence.

Every now and then we encounter two major life-altering decisions, and each of them requires guidance and intention. Like a form in the road, we have to decide which way to turn. The problem is that they both appear to be God-led. In situations like this, we often approach God’s will with fear and intrepidation, instead of the confidence we should have as His children. God has given us the most faith-building gift we could ever have, the ability to make good decisions. In our scripture, we see God speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites, who had wandered from Him on numerous times. “Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”Notice the promise doesn’t say God’s people would hear Him if they turned to the right only or to the left only. It says that in each direction, they would hear God’s voice of guidance.

Sometimes we encounter decisions where multiple paths honor God. Each will grow our faith in new ways, and cause us to use our God-given gifts. God wants us to seek Him in prayer prior to making our decisions. Either way, he’ll show us the next step he wants us to take. Now, you may be thinking I’ve stepped out in faith before and it didn’t turn out well. I get that. The fear of putting ourselves out there is real. While the outcome is not guaranteed, God does guarantee his continual presence with us. We need to claim Jeremiah (29:11-14a) as our mantra for moving forward with an important life-altering decision. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me with your whole heart, you will find me. I will be found by you.”

James 4:2 is an encouragement to us as well. It says, “You have not because you ask not!”

When we are making life-altering decisions, it is imperative to pray and believe God for what he’s about to do in your life. When the people of Jerusalem made the wrong decisions, God showed them his care for them through correction. He’ll do the same for us if we are listening for the voice behind us and choose to follow it. When we recognize God’s voice, we will not have any reservations about the decisions we must make. He speaks to our hearts, minds and spirits, and we feel free to move. In God’s we must TRUST! Amen.

Rev. Andie