Now It Came To Pass Making the Proper Choices

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 (NKJV)

I think many people are fascinated by the future - wanting to know what will happen, or how things will be.   And still others seem even more fascinated by the past - not theirs so much, but others.  Thousands of memoirs are in print telling tales of individual lives, and of how they were lived, including their successes and failures.  Tabloid magazines fill the market checkout stands - blaring the latest gossip on some celebrity's life - telling every sordid detail (some true - some false) of their latest actions. 

All throughout the pages of the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament, are Scriptures, starting with,  "Now it came to pass."  Four simple words setting up the details of what is now history. For me this is actually fascinating.  You see, when we really think about it, we are actually deciding much of our own history - what will be recorded about our actions and us.  If my life were being recorded in a journal somewhere, what I do today would be written as history, "Now is came to pass as Scott decided to..."

It makes me think of the song titled, "Losing my religion," by R.E.M.  The phrase, "Losing my religion," is used down south and it came to mean, losing one's temper, civility, or being at the end of one's rope.  The song makes me think about a person who is consciously making choices to do actions they know to be wrong.  The lyrics go like this:

That's me in the corner
That's me in the spotlight, I'm
Losing my religion...
Every whisper
Of every waking hour I'm
Choosing my confessions

In this song, the lyrics accurately depict the point of this writing - we are usually the ones making the choices leading to our decisions in our life.  We are the ones who will choose whether we put our hand to good, or to bad - whether we will submit to God, or willfully disobey Him.  We are the ones who ultimately choose what will ultimately be our future confessions. This is the same thing God said to the Israelites through Moses - choose life.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)

But not all choices are ours - there are times when others make choices greatly affecting our lives.  It can be a spouse who decides to end the marriage by getting involved in another relationship.  It can be an economic downturn causing financial devastation in ones life.  It can be a family member or friend turning to substance abuse for pleasure or to mask pain, but ultimately causing others pain in the process.  Truth be told, it can be a number of things out of our control - things we would have never chose to experience or be a part of, and yet there we are, smack in the middle.  

It is during these times where we must seek the truth of God's Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to sustain us as we walk through the dark valley.  We cannot possibly understand everything happening to us, we must completely trust in God's plan.  And we cannot wait for our angry, bitter or hurt feelings to subside before we resolve to make good choices in our actions, because in doing so, we are one choice away from being equally guilty as the ones who have sinned and who have hurt us.  

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.James 2:10 (NKJV)

As Christian men and women, we should always have a checklist of good solid questions to ask ourself when temptation to doubt, or to make poor choices comes our way.  

Q:    Do I trust God with my soul?  
Q:    Do I trust His promises contained within His Word?  
Q:    Do I trust God is in control?
Q:    Do I believe God's plan for my life is the best possible plan?
Q:    Am I willing to abide in Him, and in His Word?
Q:    Am I willing to seek His guidance in this situation, and follow His leading?

Hey Christian, God has a plan to guide you through every situation you will face.  He will use everything the enemy has used for evil - but God will use it for good.  Trust God, and let Him be your provider, and your defender.  Allow God to use you in the lives of others who are experiencing the very thing you have suffered in.

The lines, "Now it came to pass," will be written about you and your choices - let these lines be completed with God's perfect plan for your life from this point of time, forward. 

STUDY QUESTION: What were the choices as well as the blessings and curses given by God in Deut. 30:19?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you consciously thinking about the choices you are making each day?

APPLICATION:  Seek the Lord daily for wisdom, discernment, and strength so you can choose wisely.