You Get to Choose - Devotional by Mary Pinckney

“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:19-20

When our children were younger, we would often share with them the power of choice. It was simple — if you do well, you get rewarded. If you do wrong, you will suffer the consequences for that action. It didn’t take long for them to realize which choice was better. This lesson still helps to keep them on the right course today.

As we look to the Scriptures we see that God gave the children of Israel a similar choice. “If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good things of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). One would think this is an easy choice to make.

Of course we want the good, the best of the land. However, our sinful nature does not always allow us to choose what is best. We often make the wrong choice.

Before the covenant of grace, it was impossible to keep the law as God required. God knew this but wanted us to understand the difficulty of living life without Him. Under grace, we now can obey in the Spirit’s power. Even if we make the wrong choice, we have the Holy Spirit nudging us to get it right. We have an advocate in Jesus, going before the Father on our behalf, asking that we be pardoned.

Does it mean we willingly take advantage of that grace? Of course not. It simply means that if we choose wrong the first time, we have another chance to choose wisely. If we fail to do so, our consequences will soon help us to get back on track.

Father, guide me daily as I make decisions in my everyday life and relationships. Help me to see clearly the error of my own ways. I admit I need your grace in my life daily in order for me to experience your best. Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission