It Matters

Decisions, decisions. Some big. Some small. My husband, Steve, and I made a big decision to go on a mission trip to South Africa, half a world away. A different culture. A different time zone, with different currency, and a million unknowns. You better believe we prayed about this decision. So many variables that we have no control over. But we’re trusting the Lord with those unknowns.

What about the decisions I make from day to day? I have to admit, I’m often guilty of leaving God out of the small decisions. You know, the ones that I think I can handle, like managing my time and making wise purchases. Yet, how many times have I gotten to the end of a day only to realize I was distracted and didn’t accomplish much? Or I caved in to the temptation to buy something I didn’t need?

Even heroes of the Bible have struggled with this one. Remember Joshua? He was faithful to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. He followed the Lord’s battle plan when the Israelites went up against Jericho. The results were amazing – after marching around the city and shouting, the walls fell down flat, and the Israelites took the city. Clearly, God was with them!

Bolstered by an incredible victory, Joshua sent some of his men to spy out the next land of conquest, Ai. And boy, did the men bring back a positive report. Taking this city would be a breeze – there were hardly any inhabitants. Only a few soldiers would be needed to fight this battle. Joshua listened to the advice of the spies with horrific results: thirty six men were killed and the rest of the soldiers fled before the men of Ai.

What? How could this have happened? Because Joshua thought this battle would be a piece of cake, he forgot to consult God. The odds were in the Israelites favor, it was an easy decision – no need to bother God. Joshua realized his mistake and prayed to the Lord. God told him there was sin in the camp. One of the Israelites had stolen something that the Lord had expressly forbidden. Until the sin was dealt with, the Israelites could not move forward.

Joshua learned his lesson. He dealt with the sin problem according to the Lord’s directives and was reassured, “Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land,” (Joshua 8:1; KJV).

God’s ways are not our ways. A lot of times I learn that the hard way. Big decisions or small ones, God wants me to ask His advice every time. He’s extended a special invitation,”…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16). Today I’m going to accept His invitation!

Do you find yourself asking for God’s guidance for the big decisions, but leaving Him out of the everyday choices? What step will you take today to include Him in the small things?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for caring about every detail of my life. Forgive me when I try to do things in my own strength. Help me to take advantage of your invitation to come boldly before Your throne of grace with all the decisions I need to make. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Small Things, BIG Lesson

The barking started in the wee hours of the morning. The sharp, staccato sounds wove themselves into my fitful sleep. Though not completely asleep, I was unwilling to wake up enough to discover what was causing the commotion.

When the clock convinced me that it really WAS time to get up, I could still hear the incessant barking. The neighbor’s dog had been barking for a couple hours and seemed determined to continue. What could possibly be wrong?

The irritating strains of the beagle’s barks continued to follow me as I walked up the hill to feed our dogs. I couldn’t take it any longer…maybe the poor thing was hurt?! I crossed our yard and peered over the neighbor’s fence. I could only stare in disbelief. The comical scene in front of me brought back memories of the movie, Over the Hedge. The beagle was bravely defending his territory from the takeover of a baby possum! That’s right, a tiny, baby possum. Except, instead of playing dead, the baby possum appeared to be glued to the spot, with its mouth wide open in an attempt to appear ferocious. In reality, it was probably terrified and just wanted its mother to come to the rescue!

The neighbor’s dog continued to bark at the possum as I walked thoughtfully back to the house. All humor aside, the dog was smart, you know. He was actively defending his territory. It didn’t matter how big the predator, he was standing his ground. That back yard was his and he was unwilling to give even a small portion of it away. Wow! There was a BIG lesson here!

The enemy rarely tempts me with obvious sin – stealing, adultery, murder. He tempts me with the little things – wrong attitudes, careless words, discontent, in an effort to seize some of the territory that Christ has given me as a believer.

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin has been conquered, so I no longer have to give in to the impulses of my human nature. I can choose to overcome sin by believing and acting on His Word, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it,” (1 Corinthians 10:13; KJV).

Wise King Solomon said that it’s “…the little foxes, that spoil the vines…” (Song of Solomon 2:15). When I don’t think the little things are very important, I’m not as likely to guard against them. I let them slip into the ‘territory' of my heart while I’m on guard against the bigger things. Joshua warned the Israelites against this same thing. In a very literal sense he challenged them against becoming complacent toward their enemies. He described what would happen if they refused to completely remove the heathen nations from their territories, “Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you,” (Joshua 23:13).

The little things that I allow into the territory of my heart will become snares, traps, and thorns in my life if I let them remain. The neighbor’s dog got my attention! He was barking for a good reason. He was unwilling to give up any of his territory to another. I can do the same. I can apply the truth of the Apostle Paul, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage,” (Galatians 5:1). Today I choose to guard the territory of my heart!

Are you allowing the enemy to move into ‘territory’ that is yours? What step will you take today to reclaim that ground?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for making me aware of the tricks of the enemy. Help me to recognize when I’ve let my guard down and allowed sin to creep in. Forgive me. Help me take back any ground I’ve lost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.