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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Grace available for making hard decisions - Pt 2

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Yesterday we looked at the foundation that God provides in granting grace to every Christian for making hard decisions.  We discovered that God has grace readily available to us by His Word and indwelling Holy Spirit.  We also found out that it is the Father's pleasure to do so, and that as Christians, when we "step into" such grace by simple obedience, we prove to be effective listeners.

Today I want to get more specific, since many readers of this blog may be getting ready to make a hard decision or are in the middle of one or perhaps just finished.  I guarantee that all of us occupy one of those three catagories.  In Proverbs 2:9-22 we see specific graces promised to the child of God who takes God at His word in their decision making. 

What specifically is available to Christians in making hard decisions?

1. Discernment. Proverbs 2:9
Discernment is the grace of God available for knowing what to do before entering into the hard decision.  This is the God-given ability to get a "lay of the land" or "knowing where potential mindfields or opportunities" may lie.  Furthermore, the peace of God functions as my compass, giving me a sound mind to excercise the necessary steps in walking through whatever choices that need to be made. (Philippians 4:6-7)

2. Delight in God's Word.  Proverbs 2:10
As you excercise yourself in God's Word, your relationship to it will change from that of duty to delight.  This is especially necessary when making hard decisions.  Overtime, the child of God will think of the scriptures first rather than last when faced with a "tough call".  Practically, just simply asking: "What does the Bible say" invites God into the center of the conversation.  Most Bibles today include a topical index in the back to aid the Christian in knowing where to look.  If anything, the desire for God gained through the stress of hard decision-making is a greater reward than even the alleged solution to the problem.  (1 Peter 1:6-7) 

3. Discretion.  Proverbs 2:11
Discretion means I have gained wisdom as a result of having walked out an area of obedience in my life.  If discernment speaks about the grace made available before I enter the decision, and delight speaks to what I discover as I'm wrestling over the decision, then discretion describes what takes place after the decision.  By God's supernatural grace I mature in the midst of pressure.  Maturity in God is marked by retaining the ability to discern good from evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)

4. Deliverance. Proverbs 2:12-22
Deliverance is God's grace working daily in the life of the believer who has taken God at His word.  Deliverance is promised to deliver the believer from the way of evil (2:12-15) and from temptation (2:16-22).  What we learn about God and His ways during a tough time far exceeds the solution we may reach in solving the issue.  As we walk out in deliverance, God Himself is confirming to us that He is always available.