In the Valley of Decision

Every day we are making decisions. We make small decisions such as what clothing we will wear, what food we will eat, which way we will drive to work, what we will do with our time after our work or school is finished for the day.

These may seem like minor decisions, but each of these decisions must be carefully made – each one carries an eternal weight. What we eat, or wear – shows whether we are with Jesus or with the world. Are we eating foods that help our health or are we more concerned with satisfying our taste buds instead of keeping our body healthy? Do we wear clothing that represents Jesus as an ambassador for Christ? Or do we choose clothing that represents the world, whether we show we don’t care by dressing in a slovenly manner, or do we dress to be fashionable as to draw attention to ourselves by our clothing?

What kind of books will we read, etc. and the list of minor decisions we make daily goes on and on.
We also have major decisions to make in our lives. Decisions such as what we will do for a living. What kind of education we will obtain. Where we will live. Where we will go to church. These decisions have a major impact on our lives on this earth.

Both major and minor decisions have a weight on our eternal salvation.
Those of us who are church members know a lot of the requirements that God has given to us for daily living. Requirements such as dress reform, health reform, tithe paying, Sabbath keeping etc. If we have been taught correctly we don’t need to consult Jesus with each of these decisions – with every piece of food that enters our mouth we should know whether this food will benefit us or whether it will be detrimental to our health. These decisions should be relatively easy to make, however even with this knowledge we often fail of making the correct decision due to our fallen human nature that has not been fully yielded to Christ.

When it comes to major decisions, there is not always a clear answer and we need guidance in order to make the correct decision.

Make sure to consult Jesus when making major decisions – decisions that don’t seem to have a clear answer. – He WILL give an answer…

Jesus is not only interested in our spiritual welfare, but also with our lives here on this earth. When we are faced with perplexing decisions, we can consult Jesus – He WILL give us answers when we ask Him. It may not always be the answer we want. Jesus can answer, ‘no’, or ‘wait.’ But regardless of what the answer is, the important issue is that He WILL answer.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

We have the example of David, before he was king in Israel. He heard that the city of Keilah was being attacked by the Philistines and he asked the Lord whether he should go and rescue them. “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.” 1 Sam 23:1,2. After a successful battle, David again inquired of the Lord as to whether he should remain in Keilah or whether he should leave. “Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.” 1 Sam 23:10-12. So David left the city.
There are many other examples in the Bible where God gave direction to His followers. All throughout the wilderness wanderings Moses was given instructions as to where to travel next. Joshua was given instructions for the conquest of Canaan beginning with Jericho. Many of the faithful kings of Judah received instructions from the Lord.

“Our only safety will be found in constantly seeking wisdom from God, in carefully weighing every matter with much fear and trembling, lest there should be brought into the work not the light of heaven, but the weakness of man. But the Lord has promised to give light to those who seek Him with the whole heart. If we will but wait patiently and prayerfully upon God, and not follow our own impetuous plans, He will guide our decisions and open many doors of hope and labor.” TM 211

“Let the men to whom God has entrusted great responsibilities be perfectly sure that they are following their great Leader, even Christ, and are not moving under the impulse of their own natural tempers. We shall be safe only when we consecrate our“ selves to God and look unto Jesus, earnestly longing to work out His plan. Men may follow many kinds of lights, but there is only one Light that it will be safe for them to follow. Be sure that you are following Jesus whithersoever He goeth. Let none run ahead of Christ,”

Sometimes when we want an answer from the Lord, we may not receive a verbal answer. We may ask for a sign as did Gideon. We may also be led to a Bible verse that gives an answer to our prayers. Other times the Lord’s answer is ‘wait.’ He wants to teach us patience. The time for an answer to our prayers has not come yet. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Ps 27:14 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Ps. 40:1

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

As parents when we raise our children we make all their decisions for them in the beginning. Decisions such as food, clothing, church attendance, friends and associates. The question to be asked is, “when do we stop making decisions for them?” “When do they take over the decision making in their lives?” As they grow, they, increasingly want to make their own decisions and often want to make important decisions before they are ready to do so. Parents need to teach them how to make the right decisions and give them opportunities to make some decisions, watching to see if they will make the right decision. If not, they are still under our care and we can correct them and guide them to make the right decisions in the future, but we have to give them opportunities to make decisions for themselves. There have been times when my children were afraid to make a decision, but I refused to make it for them. They asked me what I wanted. I told them, “no, it is not what I want, but what you want in this decision. I will love you the same no matter what you decide.” It is well and good for children to counsel with parents all their lives, but parents cannot make decisions
for their children for the rest of their lives. There comes a time when we have to let go and pray for them.

Sister White tells us that children will often seek to gain more freedom to make their own decisions before they are ready. Those of us who are parents of older children, I am sure, have experienced this push for what they think of as more freedom.

“Children who are under strict discipline will at times have dissatisfied feelings. They will become impatient under restraint, and will wish to have their own way, and go and come as they please. Especially from the age of ten to eighteen, they will often feel that there would be no harm in going to picnics and other gatherings of young associates;
yet their experienced parents can see danger. They are acquainted with the peculiar temperaments of their children and know the influence of these things upon their minds, and from a desire for their salvation keep them back from these exciting amusements…. The children should not be left to take their own course and always choose for themselves…. And parents need to watch and counsel their children, and decide for them, and show them that if they do not yield cheerful, willing obedience to their parents, they cannot yield willing obedience to God, and it is impossible for them to be Christians.” 1T 391

“The principles necessary for our youth to cultivate must be kept before them in their daily education, that when the decree shall go forth requiring all to worship the beast and his image, they may make the right decisions, and have strength to declare, without wavering, their confidence in the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, even at the very time when the law of God is made void by the religious world.” 5T 525

Can our youth make the right decision in this future crisis?
“Satan is marshaling his host, and are we individually prepared for the fearful conflict that is just before us? Are we preparing ourselves and our households to understand the position of our adversaries and their modes of warfare? Are our children forming habits of decision, that they may be firm and unyielding in every matter of principle and duty? I pray that we all may understand the signs of the times, and that we may so prepare ourselves and our children that in the time of conflict God may be our refuge and defense.” CG 555

In the time of the end, when there is trouble in the land youth can’t lean on their parents.

We must remember that our children may be separated from us at any time. Moses was 12 when he was taken to the court of Pharaoh, however his mother was aware of this fact and dutifully prepared him for his future life, educating him with the knowledge of God. I am sure, though, Jacob had no idea that his son, Joseph, would be taken away at the age of 17. Daniel also went to Babylon at the age of 17. Their parents had done an excellent job in preparing these children for the Lord since we see how faithful they were, while living in a completely heathen environment. Can our children
do the same? Have we prepared them? Is the truth so deep in their hearts that they will follow Jesus and take a firm and decided stand for the truth if they were apart from us? And don’t forget the little slave girl in the household of Naaman. If we don’t feel that our children can remain faithful away from us, perhaps we are not teaching them to make decisions. Right decisions for the Lord – perhaps we are making too many of their decisions for them.

APPETITE

To eat the right foods, requires decision. We decide what we will put into our mouths and what to reject.
“To deny appetite requires decision of character.

For want of this decision multitudes are ruined. Weak, pliable, easily led, many men and women fail utterly of becoming what God desires them to be. Those who are destitute of decision of character cannot make a success of the daily work of overcoming.

The world is full of besotted, intemperate, weak-minded men and women, and how hard it is for them to become genuine Christians.” CD 165

“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.” Pro. 23:1-3

Daniel was faced with an important decision regarding his health. He was offered rich foods to eat from the king’s table.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Dan. 1:8. He didn’t care if the king would be upset. His first duty was to God and secondly to any man on this earth.
If our appetite is perverted, or our health poor due to intemperate eating, then we can only blame ourselves for the bad decisions we have made. We must start to make better decisions regarding our health.

UNCHANGEABLE?

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” Pro. 21:2. It is so true, that without Christ people tend to think they are right all the time. This leads to many arguments and disagreements in the family as well as in society. It is often very difficult to admit we have made a mistake, and to change our mind and way of thinking. It is unfortunate that many, even though convinced of their wrong in their hearts, refuse to admit it because of their pride.
“When a man takes the position that when he has once made a decision he must stand by it, and never to alter his decision, he is on the same ground as was Lucifer when he rebelled against God. He held his plans regarding the government of heaven as an exalted, unchangeable theory. No man should think that human opinions are to be immortalized. Any man taking the stand that he will never change his views places himself on dangerous ground. Those who hold the position that their views are unchangeable can not be helped; for they place themselves where they are not willing to receive counsel and admonition from their brethren.” 3BC 1161

DECISIONS FOR ETERNITY

This is the most important decision we will ever make. Will we follow Jesus? Will we follow the world?

Daniel faced a crisis. The decree went out that no one could worship any one else besides the king for 30 days. Would Daniel decide to hide his faith? Or would he continue as he did before.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Dan. 6:10

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mat.6:24. We are either on one side or the other. The decision is ours. If we decide for Jesus, He gives us strength to follow through with our decision. If we decide for the world, Jesus leaves us alone and Satan takes control of our lives. We are basically servants, but we have the right to choose our master.

“The day of the Lord is approaching with stealthy tread; but the supposed great and wise men know not the signs of Christ’s coming or of the end of the world. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many has waxed cold. There are thousands upon thousands, millions upon millions, who are now making their decision for eternal life or eternal death. The man who is wholly absorbed in his counting room, the man who finds pleasure at the gaming table, the man who loves to indulge perverted appetite, the amusement lover, the frequenters of the theater and the ballroom, put eternity out of their reckoning. The whole burden of their life is: What shall we eat? what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed? They are not in the procession that is moving heavenward. They are led by the great apostate, and with him will be destroyed.” 6T 406

Some are delaying baptism for one reason or another. We are living so close to the end of time that every person needs to make a serious examination of their lives. Those not baptised, need to ask themselves why? And change those things that are preventing their baptism. Those that are baptized, need to make sure they are still on the straight and narrow way.

BE CAREFUL

“The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. Dangers beset every path. Those who are seeking to rescue others from vice and ruin are especially exposed to temptation. In constant contact with evil, they need a strong hold upon God lest they themselves be corrupted.

Short and decisive are the steps that lead men down from high and holy ground to a low level. In a moment decisions may be made that fix one’s condition forever. One failure to overcome leaves the soul unguarded. One evil habit, if not firmly resisted, will strengthen into chains of steel, binding the whole man. MH 509/10

JOSEPH AND REUBEN:

These two men faced the same temptation.
One decided to resist the temptation while the other gave in.

Here is Joseph’s reaction when he was faced with the decision. “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.” Gen. 39:9,10

This is Jacob’s description of Reuben’s character which he spoke on his deathbed. “Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.” Gen. 49:4.
We too can make the same decision as Joseph did, firmly deciding that we will not sin against God.

NEED COURAGE

It is not easy to be a Christian – to give up our worldly habits. In the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, he set up a golden statue and ordered all men to bow down to the statue or be thrown to the fire. Most bowed in fear, whether they were Gentiles or Jews. But there were a few who had no fear. “There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” Dan. 3:12. Although the world may look down upon Christians as weak, it really takes men of courage to stand for the truth – to be different.

To face death with a smile on your face, as the martyrs did in the Dark Ages, takes great courage. They made a firm decision to follow the Lord, even if it meant a martyr’s death.

“It requires moral courage to take a position to keep the commandments of the Lord. An opposer of the truth once said that it was only weak-minded people, foolish, ignorant persons, who would turn away from the churches to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath. But a minister who had embraced the truth, replied, “If you think it takes weak-minded persons, just try it.” It takes moral courage, firmness, decision, perseverance, and very much prayer to step out on the unpopular side.” Ev 240

“Christian life is more than many take it to be. It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness. These graces are essential; but there is need also of courage, force, energy, and perseverance.

The path that Christ marks out is a narrow, self-denying path. To enter that path and press on through difficulties and discouragements requires men who are more than weaklings. Men of stamina are wanted, men who will not wait to have their way smoothed and every obstacle removed, men who will inspire with fresh zeal the flagging efforts of dispirited workers, men whose hearts are warm with Christian love and whose hands are strong to do their Master’s work.” MH 497

PROMPT DECISIONS

Sometimes prompt decisions are important. In the business world occasionally prompt decisions need to be made. For example, if you are buying something second hand, like a car and you see one advertised in a newspaper at a good price, if you don’t act fast – someone else will make the purchase and you will lose out. Spiritually there are times we must make prompt decisions also King Saul had to act quickly when the Ammonites came to attack the city of Jabesh-Gilead. The king of the Ammonites wanted to pluck out the right eye of all the residents in the city in return for a peaceful surrender. King Saul was outraged when he heard this and this was his first battle he led as the king of Israel. He acted promptly and you can read the entire story in 1 Samuel 11 “I have been shown that the most signal victories and the most fearful defeats have been on the turn of minutes. God requires promptness of action. Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the enemy every advantage. My brother, you need to reform. The timing of things may tell much in favor of truth. Victories are frequently lost through delays. There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and positive dishonor
to God. Rapid movements at the critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and vanquished, for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice.” 3T 497

“God wants minutemen. He will have men who, when important decisions are to be made, are as true as the needle to the pole; men whose special and personal interests are swallowed up, as were our Saviour’s, in the one great general interest for the salvation of souls.” 3T 505

“Punctuality and decision in the work and cause of God are highly essential. DELAYS ARE VIRTUALLY DEFEATS. Minutes are golden and should be improved to the very best account. Earthly relations and personal interests should ever be secondary.” 3T 499

NOT INFLUENCED BY OTHERS

“If in defiance of God’s arrangements the world be allowed to influence our decisions or our actions, the purpose of God is defeated. TM 16

Aaron did not believe in worshipping idols, however he was influenced by the nation of Israel to do things he didn’t really believe in.

“And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” Ex. 32:21-24.

In making important decisions, never allow yourself to be influenced by friends or relatives.
“You allow the words of your relatives and special friends to influence your propositions and affect your decisions. You credit them too readily and incorporate their views into your own ideas and are too often led astray. You need to be guarded… Your judgment, your feelings, your views, influence them, and, in turn, they influence you; and a strong current will be set flowing in a wrong direction unless you are all humble and thoroughly consecrated to God. All the elements of these family connections are naturally independent and conscientious, and, unless especially balanced and controlled
by the Spirit of God, are inclined to extremes.” 3T 506

“Never, never be influenced by reports. Never let your conduct be influenced by your dearest relatives, “ or friends. In your association with others always ask: are they influencing me or am I influencing them? If they make us less spiritual, perhaps we should not be spending time with them. It is the Lord’s will that we influence them, not them us.

WITHOUT DECISION A MIND IS FICKLE

Some people are simply drifting through life, allowing circumstances and other people to make their decisions for them. They have no direction or goal in their lives. This is not acceptable with the Lord.

“He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed… A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.” James 1:6,8.

A doubleminded man is torn between the call of earthly pleasure and unswerving loyalty to God.
“Every movement in connection with the cause of God should be characterized by caution and decision. Without decision, an individual is fickle and unstable as water, and can never be truly successful.” 4T 454

Joshua encouraged the people to follow his example and decide to follow the Lord, “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. 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.” Joshua 24:14, 15.

GOD’S FINAL DECISION

In the future, God will make His final decision.
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Rev. 22:11

“In the great day of final decision, when every man shall be judged according to his deeds, every voice of selfjustification will be hushed; for it will be seen that in His gift to the human race the Father gave all He had to give, and that they are without excuse who have refused to accept the gracious offering.” CS 213

SOLEMN WILL BE THE DAY OF FINAL DECISION…

“Sad will be the retrospect in that day when men stand face to face with eternity. The whole life will present itself just as it has been. The world’s pleasures, riches, and honors will not then seem so important. Men will then see that the righteousness they despised is alone of value. They will see that they have fashioned their characters under the deceptive allurements of Satan. The garments they have chosen are the badge of their allegiance to the first great apostate. Then they will see the results of their choice. They will have a knowledge of what it means to transgress the commandments
of God.

“There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.” COL 319. They made the wrong decisions in their lifetime.

“The days of our probation are fast closing.
The end is near. To us the warning is given, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34. Beware lest it find you unready. Take heed lest you be found at the King’s feast without a wedding garment.” COL 319

Each decision we make in this world has eternal consequences, so it is extremely important to ask God to direct each step of the way. Each step is a step closer to heaven or a step further away. Each temporal decision is also very important in the light of eternity. The safest place for us to be is the place where God wants us to be.

Don’t remain in the valley of decision. Many people in the world have not decided if they want to serve the Lord or not. Is the Christian pathway the right way? There are people in God’s church, young, as well as old, people who still have not fully decided. You need to ask yourself, why? What is holding me back? Why am I in the valley of decision? What do I love in this world that I am not willing to give up for the Lord? What would happen to me if Jesus came today? We must make a firm decision, NOW, to do God’s will, because tomorrow just may be too late.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia