A big decision
Faith is exercised in the risk
Stay or go. The comfort of Egypt or the hope of the promised land. The familiarity of the wilderness or the potential danger of crossing the Jordan.
Decisions always have consequences, and without being able to tell the future, we will never know those consequences. Christians although have a unique dilemma. We know the God who knows the future, and who says in his word
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
Because we know that God knows and is in control, the temptation is to outsource risk and uncertainty to Him. If God knows what could go wrong, rather than making the decision myself, I can simply wait for Him to tell me what to do. Suddenly, my faith stops being proactive and becomes reactive. This verse rather illustrates, that as we act and plan, God works everything together to establish our steps and direct us forward.
Understand that God does lead and guide our lives. The three examples above testify to that fact. God told Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. He told Joshua to have them cross the river Jordan into the promised land. Proverbs reminds us that it is God that establishes our steps. We should be praying over the decisions we make. The danger comes when we stop making those decisions and ask for unending confirmation and certainty when life is, by nature, uncertain. Faith is trusting God when we do not know the outcome.
Consider when Moses talks to God in the burning bush. Moses worries, questioning his own strength and ability:
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11
Moses is unsure and unqualified in himself. God responds, assuring Moses that He will be with him.
12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:12
God gives Moses insight, he encourages, but then requires Moses to have faith and act. God gives us a level of peace and encouragement, but ultimately reminds us that our safety in the decision is based solely on Him.
Other times we see that God does not always give direct insight. Here this is plainly exampled in Esther.
16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
The outcome is uncertain. "If I perish, I perish" but the action is one done in faith. Seek the Lord, trust Him, and then be brave to put that trust into effect. Do not be like the wandering Israelites who had become so comfortable in the wilderness of the Sinai desert that they were reluctant to step into the Promised Land. Comfort is not a bad thing but can so easily become a tool of the enemy.
There are times in life when God will call us to wait. The Israelites were made to wait in the wilderness, learning quite literally to follow God daily in pillars of fire and smoke, setting up camp for undetermined amounts of time. The lesson to us becomes clear. We wait or move as we continue to follow God daily.
Whatever decision you make, understand that God goes before you.
8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Big decisions are scary. Faith in God is the answer to fear. Pray, seek the Lord, and then put your faith in action. If you are in to wait, then wait. If you are to move, then move, but whatever you do, know that God goes before you.
Your friend,
Aodhan