SEARCHLIGHT
What is your strategy for making good decisions?
SCRIPTURE
…in the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 Samuel 2:1
SPOTLIGHT
George Muller was a Christian evangelist in England during the 1800’s. He was known to be a man of great faith and compassion. During his lifetime, he cared for over 10,000 orphans. In addition, Muller established 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 children. It is incomprehensible how many decisions he had to make in his lifetime. Obviously, Muller made a lot of really good ones. How was he able to do that? The primary reason was due to something he believed in. Every day he devoted quality time to praying and reading his Bible in order to include God in his decision making. This is where he found his wisdom and strength.
While crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 1877, his ship encountered thick fog. Muller explained to the captain that he needed to be in Quebec the next afternoon. The captain explained it was necessary to slow the ship down for safety reasons which would mean that Muller would miss his appointment. George Muller requested that he be allowed to pray the fog would be lifted. The captain agreed but said it would be a waste of time. Muller prayed a very simple prayer. When the captain began to pray, the evangelist stopped him primarily because he believed his prayer had been answered. Muller said, “Captain, I have known my Lord for more than 50 years and there is not one instance that I have failed to have an audience with the King. Get up, Captain, for you will find that the fog has gone.” When they went to the bridge, they found the fog had lifted. Muller was able to keep his appointment and the captain became a Christian.
The Psalmist David had to make a lot of decisions every day because he became the king of Israel. Like George Muller, he devoted quality time to prayer. In the Scripture focus above, David asked God for direction. The Bible says God answered his request. In 2 Samuel 5:19 and 23, two other times are mentioned. Each time God directed David in making the wisest decision. Read 1 Samuel 23:4 and 30:8 which mentions two more times when David asked God to guide him. The Bible says God did just that. David greatly benefitted along with all the other people involved in the situations.
Have you developed the art of good decision making? Studies indicate that most people make 35,000 decisions every day. Some are bad, poor, good, better, or the best. Every decision you make has a consequence. Some of the smallest decisions can change your life forever. Do you daily inquire from God concerning decisions you have to make? Perhaps you don’t because you think David heard God’s audible voice. There is no indication that is what happened. Instead, God impressed upon David’s heart and mind what to do. And the same experience was true for George Muller.
ARE YOU GOOD AT MAKING BAD DECISIONS OR GOOD ONES? George Muller shared how he found God’s wisdom, will, and understanding so he could make good decisions:
- I seek, at the beginning, to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine tenths of the trouble with people is just here. Nine tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
- Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
- I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.
- Next, I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God’s will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
- I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
- Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflections, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
A trusting faith in God birthed by a genuine humility leads to God’s best for you!
SOMETHING TO DO
Begin today to include God in your decision making. Put into practice the steps outlined by George Muller:
- Pray not my will but Your will, God, be done in my life.
- Avoid feeling led decisions.
- Read God’s Word and pray.
- Ponder and trust God.
- Ask God to clarify.
- Praying and pondering leads to God’s peace and faith.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I need You to help me to make not just good decisions but Godly ones. Thank you for the privilege of being able to ask You for direction and guidance. I want to do Your will rather than mine. Show me Your ways, Lord God. AMEN