Making good decisions is a task that everyone aspires to in their lives.
But trying to make good decisions can be one of the most frustrating things that we do in life. How do you know for sure that what you are about to do is right, good, and something that would please God?
We spend many a sleepless nights trying to figure out what to do when it comes to the “hard decisions” of life.
Psalm 19 is a good passage to study as we make our decisions.
In verses 1-6 we see God speaking though nature, His creation.
In verses 7-11 we see God speaking through His Word.
In verses 12-13 we see how our sin can block our vision.
In verse 14 we see how every decision needs to be pleasing to God.
It makes for a neat outline in decision making.
1. Listen for God’s Voice in creation –
2. Look for Yahweh’s direction in the Bible
3. Ask for God’s conviction in our hearts
4. Choose the path that most honors God
To often, when the decisions are hard, when we are afraid of doing the wrong thing, we do nothing. Or we wait until it is too late. Most of the time, these decisions are going to be a step of faith. In other words, we will never know for sure until we step through the door.
Another helpful outline in making good decisions:
1. Use your intelligence – Is it the smart thing to do?
2. Use the Bible – Is it consistent with the Christian life?
3. Use Christian Counsel – How do your friends see it?
4. Use Prayer – Be careful here, don’t be fooled by feelings?
5. Use the Open Door – Is it possible or not?
When you take all of these helps, and put them together, do they line up? If so, I think you have a strong indication that it is the right thing to do. But it will always be a step of faith. The only guarantee we have in life, is that if we belong to Him, He will never leave us nor forsake us. With that confidence, you can move forward boldly.
Taking that courageous step can be one of the most frightening and exhilarating things that you will ever do in life. As President Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
Soli Deo Gloria! — Pastor Mike
