In Joshua’s day, it was a choice between Baal or Jehovah. In our day, it is a choice between doubt or belief.
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then CHOOSE for yourselves THIS DAY whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. — Josh. 24:15 NIV my caps.
If you doubt, the hordes of naysayers will applaud you and show you the path of reckless abandon. If you believe, it will be a lonely, hard, uphill road.
The results of doubt are disaster. The much-admired atheist Frederick Nietzsche died insane (brought on by syphilis?), fighting against a carriage driver who was whipping his horses. A tree is recognized by its fruit — Matt. 12:33b NIV.
Aside from total doubt (atheist, agnostic) there is partial doubt. This is the “believer” who does not believe for healing or for answers to prayers. This is a midroader, neither an unbeliever, nor a total, radical, Bible-believing Christian. I find myself constantly trying to wrestle my way out of this quandary.
The addict struggles to believe he can be free. The failure struggles to believe he can be a success. The sick struggles to believe for healing. The pioneer pastor struggles to believe for people and finances. Write your circumstance here: ____________ struggles to believe.
Belief is a daily choice. It requires effort. To not believe, requires no effort. That’s why prayer and Bible-reading in the morning is such a good idea: it fills you with faith. Choose to believe today.
I just finished my morning bible reading (chapter 26 Isaiah) and your post is reinforcing the message – we can never avoid strife in the world around us but with God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil 🙂
Absolutely! Faith is a choice. “We walk by faith, not by sight.” Excellent post my friend!
Praise Him!
People can’t seem to realize that faith is a gift offered by God, but we must choose to receive it. Sometimes that choice isn’t easy, as you have written, but the rewards are incalculable.
You are far more poetic than I! Thanks for adding spice to the sauce!
Absolutely on target! Joshua gave the Israelites a choice. God gives us a choice. God told Joshua that He had given the Israelites the land. They had a choice, step into the Jordan and walk across, circle Jericho for 7 days looking at the impregnable walls and choose to believe that God meant what He said–He had given them Jericho. We have a choice: believe God and step into His promises or miss out on a wonderful adventure filled with great and precious promises.
Wonderful post and incredible writing! Thank you for spreading the truth. I look forward to reading more of your entries. And thank you for stopping by my blog! 🙂
You made me 😀
🙂
Nice article, fully agree that faith is choice, one that not everyone chooses to understand.
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Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If we find what His Word says concerning that situation, then we can just stand on it. God bless you for sharing this.
Praise Him!