Sermon # 5 - Choose Wisely Series

We read in Genesis 13:10-11, Lot looked around and saw that the whole Jordan Valley, all the way to Zoar, had plenty of water, like the Garden of the LORD or like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley for himself and moved away toward the east. That is how the two men parted. (GNB)

I wish to highlight the word ‘chose’ in the above mentioned verse, and study in detail to see how the choices we make will affect us in the long run. Every day we are compelled to make numerous choices and decisions. Some of these choices will not have much of a bearing on us, while others will have a permanent impact on our lives. Many people are unaware of how to choose, and make the right decisions in many crucial matters. As children of God we should know how to make the right choices, in concerns both small and big.

Let me explain this with a simple day to day event, most of us are familiar with, to help us realize how many choices we make every single day. Just say a family decides that they will have dinner at a restaurant one night. They next choose the hotel based on whether they want to have a vegetarian meal or a non-vegetarian meal. Then they make a choice as to the kind of transportation they would take to get to the restaurant. On entering the hotel, they are now in dilemma as to which table they would like to be seated. You might have noticed how some people will change places quite a few times, before they decide the table. Once they receive the menu card they are now in a quandary as to what they should choose from the long listings. When the dinner’s finally done, and the bill arrives, they are now faced with the choice of whether to pay by card or cash. Finally they are left with the decision of whether to pay the waiter, and if so how much tip should be given. May sound amusing, but it is a fact that every day we are constantly making so many choices, without even being aware of it.

The above mentioned illustration is one which doesn’t really have much of a consequence, and yet involves so many decisions. However, there are some important matters in life where if one is not cautious, we can make choices that can adversely affect us for the rest of our lives. For instance when it comes to marriage, when one make a wrong choice, the result is that their entire married life becomes an ordeal. It is therefore imperative that we learn to make the right choices in every single aspect of our lives.

Eve’s choice

In the Garden of Eden when the Serpent beguiled Eve, he convinced her to eat the forbidden fruit which the Lord had commanded them not to eat. The eating of the fruit might seem simple to some, but the consequences was that it brought all of mankind under the curse, and dominion of sin. Their choice to disobey God not only affected them, but the ramifications had to be faced by all the generations that followed after them. Some bible scholars believe that the Serpent would have probably tempted Eve when she was alone, and vulnerable.

It is important to be reminded that for every wrong decision we make, the implications will impact the generations that follow after us. That is why it is of utmost significance that we cautiously choose to make the right decisions. In a family it is wise for men to be strong and alert to not allow their wives to be led astray by others.

David’s choice

When it was a season for kings to be at war, David as King of Israel, chose to stay back in his palace. As he lazed around on the terrace of the palace, he was tempted to take another man’s wife, resulting in a breakdown in his personal life, his relationship with God and to the kingdom God had entrusted to him.

There is nothing wrong with relaxing or taking a vacation, but in every choice we make it is vital that we are in the right place with the Lord’s approval or else we too can end up doing things that displease the Lord.

Solomon’s choice

When God appeared to King Solomon in a dream, and asked him what he desired to receive from God, Solomon did not ask for fame, wealth or riches, but asked God for wisdom to discern between right and wrong, to rule the people with wisdom. When Solomon chose aright the recompense he received from God, was that God not only granted him wisdom but also accorded wealth, fame, riches more than any other King of Israel.