By Buddy Harrison, Co-founder

We make thousands of decisions every day, though we aren’t consciously aware of all of them. Some decisions may not be life-and-death ones, but our decisions are important because they influence our characters, destinies, ministries, loved ones and many other people. Nothing we do is done in a vacuum or without an effect on others.

How do I know which choice to make? If I learn the process of making a quality decision, then I will make the right choice, the one that takes me from glory to glory.

Because it is based on Biblical principles rather than selfish wants, a quality decision produces the greatest good for all concerned. A decision must take into account personal considerations, but ultimately the best choice will be that which brings glory to God.

God gave humanity choices, and He told us how to make the right ones. Whether the decision is a natural or spiritual one, the steps for making a quality choice are found in Hebrews 11:24-29 (KJV).

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

²⁸ Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

ESTEEMING

The process of esteeming is based on your values and priorities. If those don’t line up with God’s Word, you won’t make quality decisions.

You need to determine your values and priorities. You have to know yourself, what you stand for, what is important and what is vital, what God’s Word says, and what God has spoken to you.

Sometimes esteeming is easy to do because the difference between right and wrong is obvious. Other times the difference isn’t obvious, or it’s a choice between two good things.

Moses’ decision to leave Pharaoh’s palace wasn’t an easy one to make. He had the best of everything there. He was probably in line to succeed Pharaoh and rule Egypt. Wouldn’t he have been in a great political position to bring about reform and civil rights for the Israelites? Surely it was better for him to stay in the palace?

No, that wasn’t God’s plan for Moses. Nor were the children of Israel supposed to stay in Egypt.

Moses had to discern properly the situation. Which was best—80+ years of living and moving among the privileged class of Egypt or an eternity in the presence of his Messiah? Moses placed the greatest value on what the Lord had said and on what He wanted. Consequently, he chose the eternal reward.

You must do the same: judge, weigh, balance, and measure the situation. Esteeming lays the foundation for your quality decision. Take the time to think, pray, and research your decision. Take the time to hear the Lord’s voice. You should always be moving toward what gives you life and life more abundantly.

REFUSING AND CHOOSING

Once you have esteemed the situation, you are ready to refuse and choose. Refuse means “to deny, denounce, reject and disown that which is negative or of a lesser value.” Choose means “to select or pick out that which has the greater worth, the positive option.”

Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter and to do things the world’s way. He didn’t want to exchange the eternal reward for the temporary pleasure of sin or compromise.

What did Moses choose? He chose to suffer affliction with the Israelites. Now, don’t get hung up on the suffering. See the principle here. The principle here is a willingness to choose what God wants you to do. Suffering doesn’t always mean great physical or emotional pain, such as being beaten or put in jail. Suffering can mean something as simple (though not necessarily easy) as denying what your flesh wants. For example, I love hot fudge sundaes, and my flesh surely considers that it’s suffering if I don’t go and get one.  

At this point, some people might think they have made their quality decision because they have gone through the process of esteeming, refusing, and choosing. However, the process isn’t complete just because you decided upon a course of action. Now you must act.

ACTING ON YOUR DECISION

The action steps are forsaking, enduring, keeping, and passing through.

Moses forsook Egypt and all his old paradigms. He forsook the pride and comfort of living in the palace. He had to forsake his fear of what the king thought about him or would do to him, and he had to forsake his fear of failure because Israel had previously rejected his attempt to deliver them.

To fulfill his calling, Moses endured the temporary and necessary hardships of shepherding sheep in a desert place. He had to endure a maturing process that involved placing his faith and trust in God, rather than in his own strengths and abilities. Then Moses had to endure the return trip to Egypt—the scene of his earlier failure to lead his people—and face the possibility of imprisonment by Pharaoh. Moses had to endure the questions and concerns of the Israelites: “Who are you to tell us to leave Egypt and go into the desert to worship God?”

What did Moses need to do as he endured the return trip and an uncertain reception in Egypt? He had to keep his eyes fixed on the author and finisher of his faith. He had to guard his heart and keep his faith focused on God’s promises and plans.

By faith, Moses kept the Passover. He obeyed the Lord’s instructions at each step of the way out of Egypt. He did what he knew to do, regardless of tradition, custom, difficulties, or misunderstandings.

Possibly, Moses didn’t understand everything about God’s method for delivering the Israelites from Egypt, but he obeyed. He walked out each step as the Lord directed him. Take note that all these steps involved faith—completing trusting in God to keep His Word. Let’s also remember that Moses didn’t have the written Word to keep before himself. He had to hold fast to what he heard.

After all the plagues and shenanigans of Pharaoh, Moses and the Israelites passed through the Red Sea. They saw the Lord deliver them from their enemies.

If you’re going to walk in victory, if you’re going to pass through your Red Sea—that seemingly insurmountable obstacle—you must know how to make a quality decision. You must take the time to sit down with the Lord and His Word so that you can establish your values and priorities and find His direction for your life and ministry. Then you must weigh your decisions and commitments in the light of what He has spoken to your heart.

Don’t keep doing life the same way because that is the way you’ve always done it and it’s comfortable. Do you remember the definition of insanity? Insanity is doing things the same way and expecting different results.

Put yourself in position to hear God’s voice and move in His timing. Take the time to make quality decisions. Then you’ll be in position to receive the blessings and stand in the midst of difficulties.

Tags: decisions | Egypt | Moses | Pharaoh