Things happen in life. Sometimes we’re sinned against. Someone hurts us. A friend betrays us. Other times, it’s a temptation. Someone or something looks good to us. We think we’re not getting something we need … or want. Like Eve, we see something that’s desirable. We may even believe God is withholding something good from us. How will we respond? We’re at a point of decision.
How will you handle your next point of decision and what can help you make a better decision?
Today’s Readings:
Joshua 1 & 2
Psalm 41.1-13
Proverbs 13.15-16
Luke 8.26-56
How Will You Handle Your Point of Decision?
Psalm 41.1-13:
When a Friend Betrays Us
Betrayal! It hurts and it hurts a lot. But sometimes it hurts even more because the betrayer is someone we loved, cared about, and trusted. David had this to say:
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me (v. 9).
Like David, we have, probably, all had a “familiar friend” who has betrayed us. It hurts when someone we trusted gossips about us. It hurts when a friend we counted on turns away when we need her most.
But like David, we can choose how we respond. We should start by turning to God.
David prayed, “But You, O Lord, be merciful to me, and raise me up” (v. 10).
And Jesus gave us some specific instructions on how to respond to our betrayer. He said:
… love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven …. (Matt. 5.44-45).
How we respond when we are wounded whether by a friend or a perceived enemy says a lot about our spiritual maturity.
How do you and I respond when we’re sinned against in some way? Are we able to bless those who spitefully use us? Or do we respond in anger and unforgiveness? The latter is easy. It comes naturally. And our sinful hearts will allow us to feel downright justified with anger and bitterness. But look at our Proverbs reading to see why these questions are so important.
Proverbs 13.15-16:
The Point of Decision & the Hard Way
Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard (v. 15).
“The way of the unfaithful is hard.” The KJV says, “the way of transgressors is hard.” I referred to this verse yesterday when I said, “Life gets hard when we decide we can make our own rules.” Let’s take a look at how that happens.
First, remember Jesus said everything starts in the heart (Matt. 15.18-19). The heart is the inner man. It’s our mind, our will, our desires, and our emotions.
Things happen in life. Sometimes we’re sinned against. Someone hurts us. A friend betrays us. Other times, it’s a temptation. Someone or something looks good to us. We think we’re not getting something we need … or want. Like Eve, we see something desirable. We may even believe God is withholding something good from us. How will we respond?
There’s a point of decision.
There’s a temptation to lash out, become bitter, gossip, withhold affection or take what we want. And it connects with some desire in our heart (Jas. 1.14-15).
I must be respected. I don’t deserve this. Or I need this to be happy.
Responding with anger, bitterness, criticism, gossip, lust or some other sin seems like the easy way to go. It comes naturally. And we often feel downright justified in doing it.
But what started out as the easy response turns out to be the hard way. The consequences come … broken relationships, lost jobs, depression, fear, worry … life gets hard.
The Point of Decision & the Easier Way
On the other hand, responding in a godly way seems hard at first. It goes against what we feel like doing when we’re at that point of decision. It goes against what the culture and our friends tell us. And it seems backward. We think, “I’ll get walked on” or “She’ll just do it again” or “It’s not fair.”
But what seems like the difficult choice becomes easier, because God is at work (Matt. 11.28-30, Gal. 6.7-10). We grow spiritually. We find we have peace with Him and a joy that isn’t based on our circumstances but on our relationship with Christ.
Jesus said:
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matt. 11).
So, what started out hard gets easier. Our load in life gets lighter.
Life is filled with these “points of decision.” Perhaps you’re at a point of decision right now. Which path you take determines the level of peace, joy, and blessedness you experience in this life and impacts the life to come.
You can read more about this in my post “Responding to Difficult People.”
Today’s Other Readings:
Joshua 1 & 2:
Be Strong and of Good Courage!
Moses has died and Joshua has just assumed the leadership of God’s people. Some of God’s first instructions to the new leader were “Be strong and of good courage!”—not just once, but repeatedly (vv. 6, 7, 9).
That advice is for us today, as well. Whatever God has called us to do or whatever circumstance He has allowed, He’ll give us the wisdom, strength, and courage we need as long as we rely on Him.
But let’s look at one more verse from today’s reading. It’s a familiar one to many of us.
Conditional Promises
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Josh. 1.8).
We love the promises of God like “you will have good success,” but so many of God’s promises are conditional. In this passage God lists three conditions: 1) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,” 2) “you shall meditate in it day and night,” and 3) “observe to do according to all that is written in it.” “For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
How much time do you spend reading, studying, and memorizing God’s Word? Do you meditate, think deeply about, its great truths and instructions? Is it in your mouth? Or is your mouth filled with complaining, criticizing, and condemning? Are you a doer of the Word or just a hearer?
God is faithful to His promises and there are many kindnesses that God extends to His children just because of His mercy and grace. He never treats us as we deserve, but like any good parent, He expects us to be growing and becoming more like Christ (Eph. 4.14-15). That requires faithful, grace-empowered obedience on our part. It’s not what saves us and it’s not what keeps us saved. It’s not what causes God to love us. He already loved us enough to die in our place. But many of His blessings come, not as a result of perfection, but through faithful obedience including confession and repentance when we fail.
Luke 8.26-56:
Changed or Not?
What a great story about the Gadarene demoniac! The man ran around naked, lived in the tombs, and was so violent that chains couldn’t hold him. But once he had a genuine encounter with Jesus, he was changed (v. 35)!
Even though, as I said above, we are not saved by our works, genuine salvation will produce good works. Jesus said, “You will know a tree by its fruit” (Lk. 6.43-45). How has your life changed since becoming a believer? Or has it?
You may be religious. Possibly, even attended church all your life. You may believe in God. You may be a “good” person by the world’s standards.
But religion can’t save you.
And looking “good” on the outside while your heart is far from God will only make you prideful and self-righteous.
The only path to salvation is a relationship with the living God through His Son Jesus Christ. We must believe the Gospel: recognize that we are sinners without any ability to save ourselves, believe that Jesus is who He said He was, that He lived a sinless life, died on the cross as payment for our sins, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. We must put our trust in what He did on our behalf instead of ourselves and surrender our lives to His Lordship.
What About You?
If you’re not sure about your relationship with Him, cry out to Him. Repent, confess your sins, tell Him you believe, and surrender your life to Him. You can do it right now: in your living room, in your office, or anywhere you are.
If you do, seek out a Christian friend or a pastor. Tell them of your decision. Then find a good Bible-teaching church and start your new life in Him. Contact me in the comments section below and I’ll be glad to help you or answer any questions.
And if you are a believer, look back at our reading in Joshua and consider the questions I posed there. How much time do you spend reading, studying, and memorizing God’s Word? Do you meditate—think deeply about—its great truths and instructions? Is it in your mouth? Or is your mouth filled with complaining, criticizing, and condemning? Are you a doer of the Word or just a hearer?
And what about your response to our reading in Psalm 41? How do you respond when wounded by someone? Do you respond with blessings or do you respond with anger, unforgiveness, and vengeance?
Do a heart check. How has your life changed since becoming a believer? I hope you’ll share your testimony and your struggles.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about developing a thirst for God, how faith can be risky, and parenting from the foot of the cross.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. If this post spoke to you, I would so appreciate it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
If you would like to receive a FREE downloadable and printable Bible study through the book of Mark, you can click here for more information.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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