LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS!

LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS!

Heb 11:24-27

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

          The phrase “pleasures of sin” in verse 25 not only refers to lusts and gross sin but a lifestyle that we might today characterize as “successful, progressive and prosperous.” Every privilege has its price and Moses was not willing to pay. He evaluated his situation and made a decision.

          Examine your life and list the five most important decisions you have ever made. Take your time. Meditate on the differences those decisions have made. Did you marry the right person? Did you choose the right career? Did your education properly prepare you for what you are now experiencing? What about your habits and hobbies? No decision is unimportant or without its consequences.

          The word “esteeming” in verse 26 is from a Greek word which means “to deeply consider.” Moses pondered the consequences before he made the decision. He weighed the values. He knew there would be reproach but he also knew there would be rewards.

          The phrase “he had respect” is from the Greek word apoblepo which means “to look away from everything else” or “to intently regard.” The idea is to focus! For many of us, our lives are so dissipated by options that we have failed to make a choice. We are tossed from one option to another so that circumstances and others make decisions for us. This is what advertizing is all about. Advertizing creates a desire where one did not previously exist. This desire grows into a feeling that our life is not complete until we purchase the product that has been presented. Most of our culture is simply driven by advertizing. Others make decisions for us.

          The teachings of Christ reveal him to be a realist in the finest meaning of that word. Nowhere in the Gospels do we find anything visionary or overoptimistic. He told his hearers the whole truth and let them make up their minds. He might grieve over the retreating form of an inquirer who could not face up to the truth, but he never ran after him to try to win him with rosy promises. He would have men follow him, knowing the cost, or he would let them go their ways. -- A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Dear Lord, today I will be presented with many choices. Help me to choose wisely. AMEN