“ For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe”—Proverbs 2:10-11 (NLT).
Before I gave my life to Jesus, I sometimes made wrong choices. Instead of listening to that still, small voice, my decisions were often based on the opinions of others or were led by my emotions. I didn’t trust myself to choose wisely. My insecurities led me to trust others instead of seeking God’s wisdom.
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 26:12, 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 Savior 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 armor of God.
But first, our foundation must be built on a relationship with Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 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 any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.”
And in Ephesians 4:15, 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.
In Deuteronomy 30:19–20, 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.”
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo credit: Bernd Schulz on Unsplash
I’m thankful that even though I make bad choices sometimes, God always forgives and shows His love. The mistakes are opportunities to learn. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
I am thankful, too, Melissa. While I don’t make as many bad choices as I used to, God always forgives and loves us. And, I have learned from my mistakes. Thank you for the reminder and the encouragement,Melissa!