Choose the Word of God January 18, 2015
Joshua 24:13-15 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 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.
We have choices to make every day. There is but one choice to make for every decision – God’s choice, the word of God. Abraham is a wonderful example. He went with God, not knowing where he was going, he just knew who he was going with. Listen to God. God said “this is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him.” The land could not support both Abram and Lot. Abram let Lot choose, he knew the Lord would take care of him. Lot chose with his eyes – Sodom. God’s choice for Abram was Canaan. The Promised Land. Canaan = “humility”, the land of purple. Purple means reigning but it does not come without the purple bruises. If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. God’s decision for us is always a way of humility and suffering, but joyous too. Look at Abraham’s life. God gave Abraham wonderful faith. God’s choice is the word of God. May we want the best choice. God chooses the people, the vessels He places in our life. God’s team:
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
His choice is always going to magnify His Son. Always His Grace. Praise Him for your natural being, don’t want it to be different because His way is perfect. God chooses the cast-offs. Every life that magnifies Him fits this description. In my weakness, He is shown strong.
Samuel was not always embraced by the people. The people wanted a king, Samuel wanted them to let the Lord reign over them. God’s choice – His word, is seldom popular.
David – Why would God use an ignorant shepherd? David had no thought to be a king and that’s what God can use. Take what He gives, let Him lead. God’s choice is by faith. Faith doesn’t feel, it doesn’t go by my mind; but solely by the word of God.
God chose Solomon over Absalom, who seemed more fit for the job. Gideon was the least in his father’s house and God made him a warrior. Rahab the harlot was in the lineage of Christ.
Saul the Christian killer became the Apostle Paul who was God’s chosen vessel.
God’s choices are the humble. Those with a contrite spirit and a broken heart, the ones who will receive grace. The ones whose every choice is the word of God. Choose the word because it’s the only choice for victory. The Word is your ‘godliness with contentment is great gain’ (I Tim 6:6); and that peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:7)! Hear that still small voice.