When Samuel was speaking to the people for the last time (1 Samuel 12) he reminded them of all the Lord had done for them, and then warned them that their decisions in relation to their God would affect their future, and the future of their children. So often we get caught up in the moment, which in many ways is how we are to live, giving each moment to the Lord, but it is important that we remember choices have consequences. Even though we receive forgiveness when we call out to Him, in many cases there remains very real consequences for our decisions.
Living a healthy life in our bodies is like that. Samuel told the people, “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.” We know that there are many choices we make around eating that have no profit to us at all. We know that their promise of temporary delight is fleeting, and they often carry with them ill-health and regret. Our focus in every decision must always be filtered through submission to our Lord. We must ask for wisdom to make the right choices, and as the book of James tells us in chapter 1, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Let us this day, seize the empty choices, and bring them to the cross. Let us deny ourselves momentary pleasure for the sake of longer term consequences all within the context of submission. Let us heed, with the people of Israel, the words of Samuel, which applies to every choice we make, “Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.”
Today let’s chew on some eternal delights from Proverbs 16:3, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
walknthepath 