Jeremiah 21:8 – “But tell the people of Jerusalem that the Lord says, ‘I will give you a choice between two courses of action.  One will result in life; the other will result in death.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the first thought that filled my consciousness was “TWO.”   If there are ‘two’, that indicates that there is a choice and a decision.

In Jeremiah 20:3, the ruling priest rejected Jeremiah’s prophecy and put him in stocks (a form of public humiliation).  Jeremiah (through the anointing) identified a name change that was a game-changer.   From Pashhur = encouraged by plenty to Magor-missabib = fear on every side.  Resting God results in a transition from the encouragement of plenty to the prison of fear of lack.

Jeremiah 21:8 Jeremiah prophesied two – Life or Death.  Faith or Fear!  In Hebrews 2:8, there is an interesting declaration.  First, we are told that ALL THINGS have been subjected to Jesus by the decree of the Father.  Then, the last sentence, “But now we do not yet see all things subjected to Him.”   It is, but it isn’t.  Legally, ALL THINGS are in subjection to Jesus, but in present reality, they have not all submitted.  Thus, the conflict of choice.

Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess the Lordship of Jesus.   It is a fact, but not a present reality!   In the heart of God, it is done.   In the heart of man, not yet.   In everything, there is CHOICE!   In every choice, there are consequences.  Benefits and blessings or problems.  Life is always a choice.  Every decision moves us closer to or farther away from the position and condition God desires.  Every choice draws us nearer to God’s Peace and Rest or away from it.

Choose Life!  Choose Obedience!  God has set before us fullness or barrenness, victory or defeat, and life or death.  Our way or His!  Choose wisely in every choice.  Two key sources of help – the Word of God and the Spirit of God.  Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Living Word, which is never passive or ambivalent, penetrates to the core of our being, judging our thoughts and motives.  The why is sometimes more important than the what, but it’s always a choice!

Choose wisely.    Have a fantastic day basking in the sunlight of God’s presence!