The Power of The Choice

In our Sunday School class we are doing a study on Defeating the Spirit of Fear. We've determined operating in Fear or Faith is a choice. Actually, having been given a free will by God, our entire relationship with Him is a series of choices. I look back on mistakes I've made and longed for the elusive "do-over". Obviously we can't live those moments again, but serving a God who longs for restoration with His children, I've learned the joy of the 2nd chance...& 3rd & 4th & on & on. Wow! I've made a lot of mistakes :) but He is so merciful! I am so grateful for a God who never gives up on the purposes He has for our lives. Phillipians 1:6 says that the God who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it. That is, He gives us opportunities to obey His voice, which then takes us to His purpose for us. In Numbers 13 & 14, Joshua was given such an opportunity. The Lord instructed Moses to choose leaders from each Tribe of Israel to go spy out "the land I am giving to Israel" (Num. 13:2). This was the promised land. It was already theirs according to the Word of the Lord. So the 12 spies go as instructed into the land to see who was living there, what the land was like, and what fruit was being produced there. They explored Canaan and found grapes so huge that one cluster had to be carried by two men on a pole between them! They described the land as "magnificent", "flowing with milk and honey". But they found the people who were living there were too strong in their eyes. Some were literally giants! Ten of these spies were so overwhelmed with these giants, that they seemingly overlooked the fact that this land was everything they'd dreamed of it being! But Caleb and Joshua decided to choose the better part. They chose to look at the giant fruit and not the giants themselves. They knew that this land belonged to them and no enemy of any size could keep them from it! I believe that it was this test that positioned Joshua in a place of leadership. What if he'd given into the crowd? The majority had the people so fearful that they wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb. But they chose to believe the Promise of the Lord. In Deuteronomy 30:11-20, a choice is given again to the people. "I've set before you life and death, blessing and cursing...choose life, that both you and your descendants may live!" Your choices will affect those under your influence. Joshua made a difference in the life of God's chosen people by choosing to see victory in the land and not defeat. Leadership is handed over to Joshua in chapter 31 of Deuteronomy. Moses says in verse 7 "Joshua, choose to be strong and courageous! The Lord isn't going to leave you. You are the one that He has chosen to lead the people to their inheritance. He will give your enemies over to you!" (That's a little "Cheree'" translation :) And that's exactly who led them into their promised land: Joshua. He is the same man who says "Choose you this day who you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:15) His life was full of choices that were divine set-ups for his destiny.
What will you choose to see today? Giants or grapes? Opposition or provision? Nothing can stand in your way if you will walk in the authority of God's promises.
I pray that in the face of difficulty, opposition, and giants trying to set up house in your promised land, you will never back down from the right choice!
Be blessed,
Cheree'