9.m. “For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

Joel 3:9  Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O Lord. Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. The Lord roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake.  But the Lord is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

The valley of decision grabbed ahold of my attention. It is not as though these people are making a decision to seek God, repent, and turn to Him.  They have made their decision to reject Jesus Christ.  they have made their decision to do battle against Jesus Christ.  Their decision is what warrants God’s decision of judgment, wrath, and anger.  It is their decision just like it is for each of us.  We can come to Him but have we made a decision with all of our hearts, mind, soul, and strength to rely upon, trust, honor, follow, and obey Him?  Have we made a decision to listen to Him through how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through His Word?  Have we made a decision to deny self and self-reliance?  Have we made a decision to be humble?  Have w made a decision to seek how we might honor Him in all we say, think, and do?  This is a bit out of context but, it is time for us to come up out of the valley of decision and clearly put this behind us by making the decision for how we serve, honor, trust, obey and follow Jesus Christ.

Decisions for each Day

““Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD”

 

Joe 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Isaiah 34:2
For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.

Ezekiel 38:23
So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Revelation 16:14
“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”

Romans 1:18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Zephaniah 3:8  “Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.

Nahum 1:2
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers;
Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.

We make decisions all the time, what to eat, what to wear, where to go, what to say, what to dwell on….. and so much more.  Many of these decisions determine the course of our daily life.  And, of course, there are decisions of others that intersect our decisions.  There are daily decisions that can make all the difference in the world for your day.  Those decisions are; “Will I submit my life to God today, to humbly serve, honor, and glorify Him?”  “Will I listen to Him through His word and leading of the Holy Spirit?” “Will I obey this leading?” “Will I lean on my own understanding?” “Will I love others as myself?” “Will I give to those in need?”  “Will I put others needs above mine?” “Will I choose to desire God with all of my heart, mind, and soul?” “Will I meditate on Him?” “Will I be thankful?” “Will I look for opportunity to speak of Him?”  Yes everyday we make decisions and many times we start the day without God in mind. Our day will be so much more full of peace, joy, hope, rest, and love if that first decision is to start the day as a thankful and humble servant of His