When faced with tough decisions where the consequences are particularly difficult, how do you include God?
Ideally, God is within every phase of the process but it’s not always easy. But if we are to proclaim ourselves Christian then Christ must be within every part of our life.
“I am a Christian,” is not something I merely proclaim on Sunday morning. I must be willing to allow Jesus Christ to influence my Monday through Saturday life as well.
How do I do that? Really!
I’ve been in the midst of some particularly difficult decisions over the past few weeks. During one of my prayer times, I ran across Psalm 111 and found the words comforting but at the same time, challenging.
Maybe they will provide comfort and challenge to you as well.
Praise the LORD! I will thank the LORD with all my heart
as I meet with his godly people.
All who delight in him should ponder them.
Psalm 111 is a song of praise to God but within the praise are some reminders as to why we should praise God.
As I meet with his godly people… We are not alone. We are with others.
How amazing are the deeds… God has a history of being with us, taking care of us.
All who delight in him should ponder them… There is our challenge. Before we make any difficult decisions we should remember and reflect on how God has provided for us.
Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty.
His righteousness never fails.
How gracious and merciful is our LORD!
Everything he does…
His righteousness never fails…
Remember his wonderful works…
So, as you agonize over difficulties, remember: “How gracious and merciful is our Lord!”
He gives food to those who fear him;
he always remembers his covenant.
by giving them the lands of other nations.
In the midst of facing the possible consequences of your decision, something deep down needs to remind you that God will ultimately take care of you and all those impacted.
He gives food…God will provide for your day to day necessities.
He always remembers his covenant… God will never forget you.
He has shown his great power… God has proven this throughout history.
By giving them land… Here is one amazing example but there are many others.
God will provide.
All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
As you make your decision, remember this:
All he does is just and good…
All his commandments are trustworthy…
They are forever true…
They are to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
Yes, there are difficulties and challenges ahead but in the end we recognize that God is in the midst of us and can be trusted and should be followed.
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
God has paid a full ransom for us…
God has guaranteed his covenant with us…
What can you say but: What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever!
Fear of the Lord will be the foundation of our true wisdom.
Our obedience to his commandments will help us grow in wisdom.
So, praise him forever!
As you face your toughest decisions, put Psalm 111 beside you. It may not make the decision process easier but it will provide a foundation for wisdom in the midst of the process and you will receive the comfort of knowing that God will be with you.
As you prepare for Sunday, know that God is with you. As you worship on Sunday, may you know that God will also be with you Monday through Saturday. When you are faced with seemingly impossible decisions know that God has provided a framework to guide you and God has a history of providing answers and comfort.
May you be comforted and guided by God’s presence in every part of your life.
I ran across Psalm 111 and found the words comforting but at the same time, challenging.
ReplyDeletecleaning buckets