Choices reveal character ∙
After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation. For the LORD had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the town and lived there. – Joshua 19:49-50
Genesis 13:5-12
5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents.
6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.
7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. . ..
8 Finally, Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!
9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
10 Lot looked at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.
Reflecting on all Joshua accomplished in service to the Father and the nation of Israel, one might expect two outcomes regarding Joshua’s land allotment. First, he would claim the finest for himself. After all, he deserved it. Right? Second, out of gratitude, the Israelites would offer him the best of what was available. Yet, reality unfolded differently. Joshua chose a rugged, unyielding, barren land. His choice revealed his heart, a heart of humility and service. Conversely, it also showed the hearts of the children of Israel. They were content to let God’s servant settle for the leftovers. This scenario, unchanged over 3500 years, speaks volumes about human nature.
Little has changed.
REFLECT & PRAY
“Your ideal is what you wish you were. Your reputation is what people say you are. Your character is what you are” (anonymous).
Father, I desire to fall in love with Your Word and consume it as food for my spirit. Give me Jeremiah’s passion and David’s love and delight for Your Word.
INSIGHT
We are inherently flawed people living in a fallen world, with fallen DNA permeating our thoughts, emotions, and actions. If our choices reflect our essential fallen nature, there should be no surprise. They show who and what we really are, and our self-absorbed motivations are clearly exposed.
This reality is evident in daily life. Consider a family sharing a small home with a single bathroom; who gets access first? Or when a meal of chicken is served, who has the first choice of the preferred pieces? During Thanksgiving, who gets the turkey legs?
The true nature of our character is often revealed under stress and uncertainty. Robert McKee encapsulates this idea well when he states, “True character is revealed in the choices a human being makes under pressure – the greater the pressure, the deeper the revelation, the truer the choice to the character’s essential nature.” In high-stress situations, our authentic selves emerge, painting a vivid picture of our values and priorities.
Risk is a crucial factor that reveals character through decisive actions. When faced with uncertainty, individuals respond in various ways: some boldly go all in, fully committing to their choices, while others retreat to their comfort zones, prioritizing safety and caution. These reactions tell a story about our core values.
Cultivating a godly character is essential to becoming better individuals and making selfless choices that align with the Father. Richard G. Scott articulates this beautifully when he suggests, “Above the television were used to be.”
Our journey toward righteousness begins with a commitment to understand and embrace the eternal truths of the word of God. As we nurture our higher selves and aspire to a righteous character, our choices begin to align more closely with selflessness and godly principles.
Psalms 119:9 How can a young person his way pure? By living according to your word.
The Hebrew term orach, often translated as “way,” typically denotes a path. In the Old Testament, orach is frequently used metaphorically to represent a way of life, implying a way of living, behavior, or life course.
The word “pure” in Hebrew is zakah. Zakah appears exclusively in poetic contexts and always in a moral sense. It signifies being clear, clean, or making oneself clean, denoting faultlessness and freedom from sin.
Psalms 119 suggests that we can keep our lives and behavior clean and pure. Is this even possible? Solomon has his doubts.
Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
The answer underscores our inherent imperfection because of our fallen DNA. Absolute purity may elude us, but we can set perfection as a goal and strive for it. It is like aiming for the bull’s eye, knowing we will not always hit every time.
David shows the way.
Psalms 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
To truly make choices in line with the Word of God, one must first know its teachings. Yet, mere knowledge is insufficient; it must be internalized and cherished.
But there’s more. Memorizing the word of God by rote is one thing, but understanding the scriptures goes beyond memorization. Reciting God’s Word by rote is a great foundation, but to fall in love with it and find immense joy within it is something entirely different. David had fallen in love with the Father and His Word. He registered his delight and his love and passion for the Father and His teachings.
In Psalms 119:47, David exclaims, “How I delight in your commands! How I love them!” This devotion drove him to immerse himself in the scriptures, not only reading and meditating on them but committing them to memory. Imagine holding the Word of God so dear that it becomes an integral part of your heart and mind.
Psalms 119:15-16 illustrates this dedication:
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
Jeremiah also exhibited a profound zeal for God’s Word, a fervor that seems almost beyond belief.
Jeremiah 20:9 reveals, “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”
For every child of the King, it is imperative to commit to memorizing and living by the scriptures. This commitment is the cornerstone of making wiser, more godly life choices.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 