You Pick One

Choices.

I hate to make the wrong choice, even on something as trivial as ordering dinner from the menu. My daughter Shawna always seems to get what I wish I would have ordered. I’ve toyed with just ordering what she gets every time, but then, what do I do when she’s not with me? I have to choose.

I saw something I’ve never seen before in the book of Joshua. At the end of the conquest of the Promised Land, Joshua got the pick of any city he wanted.

49 After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation. 50 For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the town and lived there. Joshua 19:49-50 NLT

Where would you pick? Green Bay? LA? Denver or Phoenix? Maybe a small quiet town is your thing, or somewhere tropical like Ft. Lauderdale or San Juan. (It is in a US territory)

I'm not sure what city I’d pick. We’ve been privileged to travel a lot and have either been in or through some very nice cities. I like Dallas a lot, and Nashville. Cindy wants to retire in Loveland, Colorado, provided we can still ski in our old age. But, it would also be hard to beat San Diego.

If I was Joshua, I’d be worried that I’d pick the wrong one. I always pick the wrong line at the grocery store, 100% of the time. Somehow I get the line that has the lady with the unmarked item AND she’s writing a check that needs managerial approval (and the manager is on their break). I’d be afraid of making the wrong choice. What if I picked Dallas, and God said, “I wanted to give you San Diego.” Or, if I chose San Diego, and God said, “Ok, but I was thinking of Honolulu.” So I decided if God ever asks me to pick the city, I’ll ask Him to pick for me. “I want to have the city You want me to have.”

If you remember, a similar situation worked out well for Solomon. God said to Solomon, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1 Kings 3:5) Solomon answered and chose wisdom, and God told him He would grant him riches and fame as well.

Of course, it works the other way, too, which proves my point. Israel didn’t do so well at choosing whether to go into the Promised Land or not, or picking their own first king. God wanted to be their King. You can’t beat that. But, they settled for less than His best. That’s what it really comes down to for me. I want His best.

Since I am sure of God’s awesome love for me and His eternal wisdom, if He ever asks me to pick one of anything, here’s my answer,

“God I want to have whatever you want me to have. You pick the city, the friends, the house, and the career. I’ll also let You select the trials, troubles, disappointments and challenges, because I know I don’t always make the right choice, or even know what I really need. So, I’ll trust You, and take whatever You give me.”

"Oh, and thanks a lot…in advance."

Enjoying the Journey,

David

I Know Who

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Every good reporter knows that these are the basic questions that must be asked and answered in relation to every story. What happened? When and where did it happen? Who was involved or committed the crime? And the biggest question of all, why?

Advertisers know that if people are going to come to an event, you need to communicate these five details to them in some form. I’ve used these five W’s as a quick test when proofing copy for church publications and more than once had to ask the person doing the layout, “When is it?” Or “Where is it?”

We’re conditioned to be ‘in the know’ when it comes to our own lives. Only, how many times have we said, “I don’t know what’s going on!” We never see the full picture. Tomorrow is unknown to all of us. There is more uncertainty in our nation and in our world today than any time I remember in my lifetime. Have you heard any of these statements lately?

“Why is this is happening to me?”

“I wonder when the stock market is going to turn around.” (Don’t we all?)

“What is going to happen next?”

“Where are we going to go if I lose my job?”

Here’s what gives me confidence and comfort, I may not know what, where, when or why, . . . but I do know Who! I know Who holds my tomorrow in His hands. I know Who has all power and authority in heaven, on earth and under the earth. I know Who calls me by name and has numbered the hairs on my head. I know Who I can trust to take care of me in every situation, and I call Him, "Father."

Job didn’t know the ‘why’, but he knew Who. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job. 1:21

Paul suffered for his faith far greater than we ever will, facing tribulation, trials and beatings, yet he wrote to Timothy, For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Tim. 1:12.

Life is a lot easier to face, . . . death is a lot easier to face, when you know Who you have believed. If we trust Him with our eternity, we can trust Him for today, . . . and tomorrow.

Knowing Who, Trusting Him, and Enjoying the Journey,

David