Your Choice!

Hear instruction and be wise,And do not disdain it.Blessed is the man who listens to me,Watching daily at my gates,Waiting at the posts of my doors.For whoever finds me [wisdom] finds life,And obtains favor from the LORD;But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;All those who hate me love death.

Proverbs 8:33-36 (NKJV)

Did you ever watch the TV show The Price Is Right? On the show, the contestant stood before a selection of doors. He knew there was a big grand prize behind one door and a booby prize behind the other. But it was a mystery which one was which. He had to take a wild guess and then take what he got. Not so with God. Our proverb today tells us that God is not making you guess. Door number one offers blessings, wisdom, and life. Door number two rejects wisdom and chooses soul-damaging death. This seems like a no-brainer. Let’s choose door number one.

But you might be thinking, That is easier said than done. When I come to a difficult decision, sometimes the wrong choice is disguised as the good choice. Women have made bad choices in men because they were wolves in sheep’s clothing. Money schemes, cults, jobs choices can all look good on the outside too. How are we to know? James 1:5-6 gives us the perfect answer. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt” (NIV).

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

An important element of wisdom is personal responsibility. Many people blame others for their wrong choices and unhappiness. It is time to realize that we are each accountable for our own emotional and spiritual well-being. Did you know that you are exactly as joyful and wise and peaceful and full of God’s love as you choose to be? No one can make that choice for you. Today, will you choose to put on some praise music if you feel down, will you sit and read Psalm 33 if you are discouraged, will you cast your care on the Lord if you are weary and heavy laden? Your choice!

One Year Bible Reading

Exodus 32:1–33:23; Matthew 26:69–27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36