How
do you make decisions, as a child of the Lord Jesus Christ? What are
your primary tools when you make decisions: feelings; preferences;
friends; peer pressure; popular opinion; emotions; parents?
As we study Proverbs chapter 16, we find certain principles or tools that we need to use in making wise decisions.
When making decisions:
1. v1-9 Use Loyalty – commit your way to the Lord i.e. trust is the fundamental dynamic in this relationship
3. v16-17 Use Wisdom – more valuable than money. Money not primary motivating factor in decision making. e.g. going full time.
4. v18-24 Use Humility – over arrogance
Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
5. v25-30 Use Righteousness – use right over deception, manipulation, denial
6. v31-33 Use Patience – patience better than power
Still faced with multiple choices which appear equally proper & equally wise?
Follow the above 6 principles – then make a decision by faith:
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’
Prayerfully submit final alternatives to God & trust him to govern the outcome.
With my love,
Pastor David
P.S. for those interested in v33 –
Exodus 28:30
Also put the Urim & the Thummim in the breast piece, so they may be
over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.
Joshua: to divide Promised Land among tribes Jos 14:1-2.
Israelite officials: to detect a guilty party Jos 7:13-15; 1Sam 14:38-42.
Priests: to determine sacrificial animal on Day of Atonement Lev 16:7-10.
Samuel identified Saul by lot to be king 1Sam 10:20-21
Temple
Levites : given assignments by casting lots 1Chr 24:5; 25:8; 26:13.
12th. apostle: to replace Judas Iscariot Act 1:23-26.
Never mentioned again after Acts 1 – ‘cos next chapter: Holy Spirit given to God’s people – guides & directs thru Scripture.
