(August 08, 2024) Carol Round encourages us to make wise choices…

The choices I made sometimes led me down the wrong path. It was like tripping over a small pebble that eventually led to a rock slide down a mountain. I didn’t always learn my lesson, either.
 
There were times I’d find myself in the same situation, making the same wrong choices. However— once I chose to follow Jesus, reading scripture and praying, my stumbling feet remained on solid ground.
 
Standing on Solid Ground
In Psalm 26:12NLT, David writes, ‘Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.’

In a recent daily devotional at The High Calling website, the author states the following about Psalm 26: ‘David proclaims that he stands on the “solid ground” of righteousness, the result of God’s mercy in his life and that which is demonstrated in his rejection of evil and his love for worshipping the Lord. Thus, in the final line of the psalm, David proclaims, “I will publicly praise the Lord.”’

As Christians, shouldn’t we be seeking to build our lives on solid ground? If we’re to make wise choices, shouldn’t we be listening to the teachings of Jesus and following Him? Like the psalmist, we need God’s mercy to help us live out the teachings of Jesus. And that’s a reason to publicly praise Him.

Praising my Saviour all the Day Long
Since I surrendered to Christ, I find myself praising Him more and more. It’s a struggle for Christians to remain on solid ground with the state of our world today. That’s why it’s so important to put on the armour of God.

But first, our foundation must be built on a relationship with Jesus Christ. In 1Corinthians 3:11-13, the apostle Paul cautions us to be careful how we build: ‘For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.’
 
And in Ephesians 4:15ESV, Paul prays with the Ephesians that they may ‘in all things grow up into Him who is the head, that is Christ.’
 
Growing Up Into Christ
Standing on solid ground is the key to growing up in Christ. Experiencing God’s mercy and choosing to follow Jesus translates into right living.

It’s about making wise choices based on Godly wisdom. Wise choices keep us from stumbling down the wrong path. Proverbs 2:10-11NLT promises ‘For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.’

In Deuteronomy 30:19–20aNLT, we read the following regarding our choices and God’s will: ‘Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.’

What a key! Let’s commit firmly to the Lord our God and make wise choices in our future days!

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Carol Round is an author and inspirational speaker and her encouraging articles have appeared in many publications. Carol especially loves hearing from readers, saying ‘Feel free to share this post.’ For more inspiration, visit my blog at https://carolaround.com. Link: A Matter of Faith weekly column: carol@carolaround.com.

Recommended books: Journaling with Jesus and companion The 40 Day Challenge. These will help readers draw close to God— (See: http://bit.ly/2LGOvKN and Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/2pP5Yr6).
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