DECISION-MAKING I: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL 12TH MAY 2018

MEMORISE:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

READ: Ruth 1:11-18

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands?  nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee:  for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

MESSAGE:

Are you presently at any of life's crossroads? God expects that your decision would be the end-result of a process of reflection on the available choices before you, informed and sustained by a concern to please Him.

You therefore need guidance from the Holy Spirit before making up your mind on any issue, especially the difficult ones. Our loving Father has provided assistance for our decision-makng process through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, individuals and the natural world around us.

In Joshua chapter 24, the All-knowing God new that the Israelites would soon have to make the conscious decision of either serving Him or the gods of the nations around them. He therefore presented His case on why they should serve Him by reminding them of how He brought Abraham their father out of his native land, across the river, into the Promised Land.

He further recounted how He delivered them from slavery in Egypt and took them through the wilderness with miracles, signs and wonders attending every aspect of their journey. The Lord then announced to them that if they found it difficult to serve Him wholeheartedly after everything he had done for them, they were free to choose whom they will serve. However, Joshua immediately answer for himself that he and his family would serve the Lord.

Why would God give His people the option of serving other gods? The truth of the matter is, our God's leadership is not authoritarian or forceful. He will tell you His rules and regulations, and make his position on issues very clear. He will also reveal what awaits you in the future based on the choices you make today. You can be sure that He will allow you to have your way, and He will also give you the opportunity to exercise your free will.

However, you must be ready to accept the repercussions of your choices and take responsibility for your actions at the end of it all. If you are a good student of the Bible, you will observe that each time anyone acted contrary to God's word, they always suferered terribly for it.

For example, contrary to God's warning, Israel decided to have a king instead of letting God lead them through His prophets. They turned deaf ears to God's warning in 1 Samuel 8:18 and they suffered terribly for it in the hands of Solomon and the succeeding kings.

Rather than act in defiance to God's instructions, it is always better to heed His counsel. Be ready to reason with God in His word and through prayers, and you will be rewarded with divine direction that will lead to your breakthrough (Isaiah 1:18).

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please help me to always act according to Your will and to remain in Your favour in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 29-31, James 5.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 5: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back.

4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.