Choices
He (Moses)chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Hebrews 11:25 NIV
As I was coming around the bend in our street from walking my son to school, I
could see the front window of our house. The sheer curtains in the living room
were astir. I saw a collie's head peek out and then disappear after glancing in
my direction. Oh, oh I thought, what are they up to?
As I entered the front foyer and cocked my head around to view the living area I
saw toffee wrappers scattered all over the rug. No toffees. No dogs. Just
wrappers everywhere.
After pulling off my boots I walked through the kitchen to the cellar stairs. At
the bottom of the stairway sat three very guilty looking dogs. In fact the puppy
was valiantly still chewing and trying to swallow a mouthful of ooey, gooey
English toffees.
The dogs all knew that the toffees were off limits. Obviously however the
temptation won the day as they had wrestled the lid off the tin and helped
themselves and oh how good those candies tasted. The next day however if dogs
know anything about regret, I'm sure that's exactly what they were
doing.....regretting their folly. What had tasted so good at the time was now
wreaking havoc with their digestive systems.
Have you ever noticed how the pleasures of sin can taste so pleasant for a short
time? I don't expect there are many, if any of us around who if we are honest,
can answer anything but yes, to such a question. When all is said and done
however, how we wish with all our heart that we had listened to and obeyed God
and His ways.
For just as I had tried to teach the dogs to stay away from things which I knew
would be harmful to them, God's words of wisdom , are for our good not our woe.
Since time began however, people have sought to break the laws of God, only to
discover they only break themselves upon them. And though God is merciful and
his grace is sufficient to forgive and cleanse even the worst of offenders, the
actions of sin always bring their own unique consequences to our lives.
The pleasures of sin can taste good for a season. But the pleasures of
righteousness last for eternity. Moses chose well. He shunned the short lived
pleasures of instant gratification for the eternal promises of God and was not
disappointed. Which will we choose today the short lived pleasures of instant
gratification or eternal joy?
Prayer: Father God, bless us with strength and wisdom to choose wisely today as
we will have many decisions to make. May our thoughts, words and actions line up
with yours that the eternal pleasures of righteousness may be first and foremost
in all our choices. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC