Life seems to be full of choices. Little choices. Big choices. But in reality, there are only two. Yet, making the right one often determines whether life goes well or whether life gets hard. If our lives are full of tribulation and distress, we may need to examine our choices in light of this principle. When we do, we can enjoy what the Apostle Paul called glory, honor, and peace, in place of tribulation and distress.
Check out today’s reading in Proverbs to find out more about those two choices and their connection to tribulation, distress, and hardship.
Welcome, to “God’s Word Day by Day.” This year I’ve added a couple of new features. First, check out the “Free Resources” tab at the top. You’ll find a downloadable, printable PDF with “Going Deeper Study Questions” for each day’s post and a list of all the Bible readings so you can check them off as you go. You’ll also find the daily posts on YouTube. The daily emails now have a link to both these Soul Survival posts and the YouTube videos. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here.
Today’s Readings:
Numbers 7 & 8
Psalm 31.1-5
Proverbs 11.4-6
Mark 9.1-29
When You’re Experiencing Tribulation & Distress
Proverbs 11.4-6:
Jesus, Righteousness & Our Choices
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright … (v. 5).
What guides you and your choices? Is it righteousness? And what exactly does that mean? A few years ago it was popular to wear jewelry that posed the question, “What would Jesus do?” The jewelry was a reminder to consider that question as we went through the events of life. But sadly, like so many things that become popular, we heard it so often it lost its impact.
So, let’s reconsider what we can learn from Jesus’ example about choices.
Our Perfect Example
First, Jesus faced all the same temptations we face, but He never sinned in the process.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin (Heb. 5.15, NIV).
Second, Jesus came to not only be our sinless Savior but, also, our perfect example.
… because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2.21b, NIV).
What Choice Would Jesus Make?
So, what would Jesus do in that decision you’re trying to make? How would He handle that rude salesperson or someone else who sinned against Him? How would He respond to that test or trial? To what (or to whom) would He run when stressed or angry or tired or hungry?
Jesus is the Word of God lived out in the flesh, so if we want to know what Jesus would do, we only need to go to His written Word.
Do we let the Bible guide our choices? Doing right is not what is good or right for us, but what’s right by God’s standard.
Proverbs 14.12 says:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Only Two Choices
In counseling, we have a simple little saying, “Only two choices on the shelf … pleasing God or pleasing self.” Often doing what pleases Him is the harder decision. It may require going against the current of popular opinion. It almost always requires going against our own selfish desires. But Jesus said:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me … and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matt. 11.29-30).
What starts out to be the harder decision gets easier with God’s help.
It Comes Naturally But Leads to Tribulation & Distress
On the other hand, doing what seems right to us, is easy. It comes naturally. But Proverbs 13.15 says, “… the way of the unfaithful is hard.” What starts out being the easier choice, eventually causes life to get hard. It leads to tribulation and distress. Romans 2.8-10:
8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
So, if we’re experiencing hardships and tribulation, we may need to examine the choices we have made and the direction of our lives. When we live to please God, we can enjoy glory, honor, and peace even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Today’s Other Readings:
And now a few thoughts about today’s other readings …
Numbers 7 & 8:
Confidence & Access
It had been 11 1/2 months since the Exodus from Egypt. Moses had finished setting up the Tabernacle and now God begins speaking from the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies.
But not just anyone could enter in, only the High Priest, only in the prescribed way, and only at set times.
When Christ died on the cross, the curtain going into the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom, signifying the fact that He was no longer going to dwell there, but in our hearts through faith, and that each believer could communicate directly with Him.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4.16, NIV).
Let’s not waste it with prayerlessness and neglect.
Psalm 31.1-5:
All Else Will Fail Us
This Psalm starts out, “In You, O Lord, I put my trust …” What are you trusting in today? Is it the economy (if so, it will eventually let you down) or our government (it will let you down, too)? Is it your career, your ability to “handle” things, or something else? Or … is it really God? All else will fail us, but God never does!
Mark 9.1-29:
“I believe; help my unbelief!”
This passage contains one of my favorite verses. A man had come to Jesus asking for a miracle for his son and Jesus said to him, “If you believe …”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ (v. 24).
This verse gives me great hope that even faith itself is not something that we “conjure up” ourselves. Even our faith finds its source in Him. If you’re feeling weak in your faith today, cry out to Him, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
PRAYER
Lord, help us to put our trust totally in You, to search Your Word for wisdom and answers, and when we’re weak to cry out like this father, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
For Further Study:
If you’re anxious and struggling to trust God, you might want to check out this series on dealing with anxiety.
Introduction: Winning the Battle over Anxiety
Worship & God’s Kingdom: Winning the Battle over Anxiety Part 2
Prayer, Put-Offs & Put-Ons: Winning the Battle over Anxiety Part 3
Fear Versus Love: Winning the Battle over Anxiety Part 4
Trust in the Lord: Winning the Battle over Anxiety – Part 5
Rest & Remember: Winning the Battle over Anxiety Part 6
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about the sovereignty of God, the seriousness of complaining, the fact that hell is real and time is short, and how the sins of our parents and grandparents affect us.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss them.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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