Articles
The Valley of Decision
The Valley of Decision
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)
In these words from Joshua’s farewell address to Israel, he challenges Israel to make a decision as to whether they are going to serve the Lord or serve false gods. That challenge made long ago is one that echoes down the corridor of time challenging men and women everywhere to make the decision as to whether or not they will serve the true and living God or give themselves over to the god of this world.
Because of the powerful desires of our fleshly bodies, we will find ourselves fighting many battles brought into our lives by the lure of the world around us. Sometimes our faith in God will be tested by physical conditions or adverse circumstances that engulf us. Some of the great battles we will have to fight will center on whether or not pleasures, recreational activities or amusements will control what we say and do. Then there will be a great conflict as to whether or not we will allow the pursuit of riches and earthly possessions to engulf us and take control of our lives 1 John 2:15-17, Psalms 62:8, Isa. 12:2, Luke 12:15, 1 Tim. 6:10, Matt. 6:19-21). In all of this, the choice is ours.
All the battles we find ourselves in will require us to make a decision as to who we will choose to put in control of our lives; will it be the true and living God or will it be the god of this world? There will always be multitudes of people in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14) and for so long as we live on this side of eternity we are going to often be numbered in that multitude. We must be impressed with the necessity of making right decisions. Whatever the task is that we face, whatever the burden or trial is that engulfs us, whatever the temptation is that strikes our human frame, whatever the decision is that must be made, so long as we choose to obey and walk with God, trusting and confiding in him we will come out of that valley victorious (2 Tim. 1:12, Isa. 40:28-31, Gal. 2:20, James 4:10, Psalms 55:22).
Today, there are two rulers of man, Jesus (Acts 4:10-12; Matt. 12:30 and Satan (1 Pet. 5:8)—choose one or the other; there are two foundations to build on, solid rock or shifting sand (Matt. 7:24-25)—which foundation are we building on; there are two ways to travel through life, the narrow way or the broad way (Matt. 7:13-14)—which way are we on; there are two guides in life, Faith in God (Heb. 11:6, Rom. 10:17, 2 Tim. 3:15-17, James 1:21) or the opinions of man (Prov. 14:12, Matt. 7:15-23, 2 John 9)—which do we follow. Multitudes in the valley of decision. The words of Joshua are so appropriate to end this message: “Choose this day whom you will serve!”
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
