Choices

Choices that Determine Destiny

“Life is a matter of choices. And every choice you make,

makes you.”

-John C. Maxwell

More than any other factor that exists in the nature of existence, none is more influential than the choices we make. Throughout the narrative of scripture, God’s people have always been those that were able to see through their circumstances, toward the future and choose, not just good, but the best things. When Judah is captured by the Babylonians a group of men stand out by the choices they make to defy the currents of the culture and stand with God.

Nebuchadnezzar is king of Babylon. He has conquered Jerusalem and taken captives back to Babylon. Among these captives are Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God gives these men knowledge and wisdom above everyone else. They are placed in the king's service and serve until the first year of King Cyrus (about 63 years). Each time these men are faced with a choice, they choose to be what God has asked them to be-they stick together with each other and with what is right. Each time they choose, God is there for them. Their lives are a living witness to the God of Israel—even the Kings see this and acknowledge the one true God.

Spend some time studying some of the decisions these men made and the consequences of them:

1. Chose not to eat the King’s food, but eat vegetables and water ( Daniel 1:3-20)

2. Chose to worship Yahweh despite their lives threatened (Daniel 3:8-30)

3. Chose to have an on-going relationship with God despite the professional or cultural inconvenience (Daniel 6)

It is important to note that none of these decisions were spurious. They “purposed” in their heart (1:8) and were “careful” (3:16) as they continued in what they “did aforetime” (6:10)

Are you making the choices that will lead to the

destiny you desire?

I love You,