A CHOICE

To embrace the Bible as the inspired דָּבָר (dabar)—the very Word of God—is not a casual intellectual exercise or a comforting notion to keep tucked away for safe moments. It is a life-defining decision, a daily crossroads at which every human being stands, whether we know it or not. Each day, every breath brings us face to face with a fundamental question: Who or what will we serve? Will we pursue the temporary pleasures of this world, those shiny, shifting distractions that dazzle for a moment but always leave behind frustration, emptiness, and even despair? Or will we yield ourselves to the eternal, unchanging אלוהִים (Elohim), the Almighty God, the One who patiently perfects His people when they choose to submit and follow His θέλημα (thelema), His Will?

This choice is not abstract or theoretical. It is intensely practical and urgent. Joshua’s words in Joshua 24:15, “Choose this day whom you will serve,” cuts through time like a sharp blade. There is no room for indecision or delay in his challenge. Joshua does not say, “Maybe tomorrow” or “Consider this eventually.” He commands immediate, conscious choice. His words come with weighty consequences: either allegiance to the gods of their ancestors, the old idols of distant lands, or wholehearted devotion to the living God who has brought them into the Promised Land. When Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” he made a public and personal commitment that still calls believers today to decide and declare loyalty. Faith is not a passive, automatic default; it is a deliberate, ongoing choice. It requires vigilance, courage, and surrender. This is the battlefield on which faith is fought every day.

At the same time, God’s Sovereignty reigns supreme. This can seem like a tension or contradiction, but it is one of the great mysteries of Scripture that God is both utterly in control and yet invites our free response. The Bible reveals a God who ordains all things but does not force the human heart. We choose, yet our choices unfold under His sovereign hand. This balance shows God’s respect for human freedom while assuring us that nothing escapes His providence. Paul makes this tension clear in Romans 8:8, “Those who live according to the σάρξ (sarx, flesh) cannot please God.” The flesh is our fallen nature, bent on self-rule apart from God. This rejection of God’s authority means we walk in spiritual blindness, unable to fulfill God’s holy standard. But the battle is not just internal or moral. It is cosmic. Ephesians 6:12 reveals the reality behind our struggles: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These forces oppose God’s kingdom and seek to deceive and destroy. Our daily choices take place in this unseen spiritual war, showing how deeply significant our faith truly is.

Despite the warfare, hope shines through the Scriptures. The Bible is not just a book of old stories; it is God’s revelation of ultimate אֱמֶת (emet, truth). It opens a window into the unseen spiritual realities that shape the cosmos and our lives. To believe in this Word is to accept a power that can change the soul and spirit from death to life. Rejecting it is refusing the authority God gives us to live freely and rightly. This power is found in the choices we make every day to trust God’s Word, to obey, and to live by faith.

Look around you. The stars shining overhead, the mountains, the rivers, they all tell the same story. God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power, His divine nature, are plain to see. As Paul says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). No one can honestly say they didn’t know. Creation screams the truth of God’s existence. But here’s the problem: many have turned away. Instead of honoring the Creator, they’ve traded His glory for lifeless images, idols made by human hands, things that don’t live, things that can’t save. Paul calls it a darkening of the heart, a willful blindness. He writes, “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:23). People refuse to see what’s right in front of them.

I remember vividly on October 7, 2023, the day of a “pride” celebration in Israel—the very same day when Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack, kidnapping over a hundred people and killing many more. On that day, I saw young adults, scantily dressed, dancing before a statue of a boar perched on a pedestal. This was no innocent festivity but a stark picture of rebellion and darkness standing openly in the land. The boar, an animal the Bible marks as unclean, was raised as an idol while violence and chaos erupted around them. This unsettling image showed how far the world has turned from honoring the Creator’s design, exchanging the glory of God for empty, corrupt symbols, even as war raged. It was a living fulfillment of Paul’s words: “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:23). Darkness was not just symbolic; it was active and destructive.

And this blindness isn’t without cost. When we reject God, our hearts grow hard, our minds become empty, and life loses its true meaning. It’s a choice with real consequences, not just for now but for eternity. Faith isn’t some guess or hopeful wish. James says, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the engrafted word that can save your souls” (James 1:21). It’s that word we need to trust, even when… no… especially when life gets hard.

Jesus put it simply: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1). Faith means choosing to believe God’s promises even when we can’t see the whole picture. It’s what gives us peace and hope. Peter reminds us, “Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him” (1 Peter 1:21). The world wants proof before belief, but God asks us to believe first—and then our eyes will open.

Faith is more than a feeling or a hopeful wish. It is a deliberate choice to trust God’s promises and His Word as absolute truth. Hebrews 11 puts it plainly: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the foundation of everything God does with His people. It is the title deed to the inheritance He promises, even when the full reality is not yet visible. This chapter of faith heroes reminds us that those who trusted God did not do so blindly. Abel offered a better sacrifice “by faith” (Hebrews 11:4). Noah built an ark in obedience “by faith, when he was warned about things not yet seen” (Hebrews 11:7). Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac because he trusted God’s power to bring life out of death if necessary (Hebrews 11:17-19). These men and women understood that choosing to believe was an act of surrender and courage. It required stepping into the unknown with confidence that God is faithful.

But what about those who choose the other way? History gives us many tragic examples of people who turned away from God, rejecting His truth and facing the consequences. Judas Iscariot, who walked closely with Jesus, chose betrayal over loyalty. His story is a dark warning. Though he had opportunity and knowledge, he rejected Christ’s mercy and fell into despair and destruction (Matthew 27:3-5). Similarly, the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day rejected the Messiah, clinging to their own traditions and authority instead of God’s living Word. Their hearts grew proud and hard, and their rejection set in motion the destruction of the Temple and the end of their religious system (Matthew 23:13-36). Even today, people wrestle with this choice. Some come to Christ after a lifetime of doubt or rejection, experiencing transformation like Charles Darwin reportedly did late in life. Darwin, famous for his theory of evolution, reportedly wrestled with faith and came to accept Christ before his death. This story is often overlooked because it challenges popular narratives. His journey shows that no one is beyond God’s reach. On the other hand, many reject the Savior, choosing the fleeting pleasures and philosophies of this world over the eternal truth of God’s Word. This rejection carries spiritual consequences that Scripture does not soften. It means walking in darkness, separated from the life God offers.

The Bible calls us to choose life. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 urges us: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him.” The choice is urgent and real. It is not just about this world but about eternity. Faith is the key that opens the door to God’s kingdom, to peace, hope, and eternal life. Rejecting faith leads to separation, darkness, and death.

Charles Darwin’s name is often brought up in discussions about science and faith. Many know him as the man who developed the theory of evolution, a theory that challenged traditional beliefs about creation. But fewer know about the spiritual struggle he wrestled with throughout his life. Late in his years, reports suggest that Darwin came to reconsider parts of his theory, moving toward faith in God as his Savior. This is significant because it shows the complexity of real faith journeys. Darwin was not a man who easily accepted simple answers. He sought truth wherever it led, rigorously examining evidence and wrestling with doubts. Yet, despite the weight of his own scientific discoveries, he could not deny the reality of a Creator. This illustrates a profound truth: God’s sovereignty is not opposed to human inquiry or intellect. Instead, God invites honest searching, even doubt, so that hearts can be truly transformed. The choice to believe is not blind but rooted in the evidence God has provided through both creation and Scripture. Darwin’s story reminds us that no one is beyond God’s reach.

Conversely, history also shows us what happens when people choose to reject God’s truth altogether. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ closest followers, made a devastating choice. Despite walking with Jesus and witnessing His miracles, Judas chose betrayal. His story ends in despair and death, a sobering example of the cost of rejecting Christ. Then there are the Pharisees and religious leaders who refused to accept Jesus as Messiah. Their pride and hardness of heart closed them off from the very salvation they sought to preserve. Their rejection led to the loss of their religious authority and the destruction of the Temple, fulfilling Jesus’ warnings. These examples demonstrate that faith is a choice with eternal consequences. Choosing Christ brings life, hope, and transformation. Rejecting Him leads to destruction and separation from God.

The tension between God’s Sovereignty and our human choices is one of the deepest mysteries in Scripture, yet it’s crucial to understand it clearly. God is absolutely sovereign—He rules over all creation, holds all things in His hands, and nothing happens outside His will. But Scripture also teaches that we are responsible to choose, to respond, to follow. Consider this: God’s sovereignty means He orchestrates history and controls the outcomes, yet He does not coerce or force our hearts. Our choices are real and matter deeply. The Bible never presents human free will as an illusion. Instead, it calls us to decide, to choose life or death, blessing or curse (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). This is the heart of God’s invitation and command. Paul’s writings balance these truths beautifully. In Romans 9, Paul wrestles with God’s sovereign choice and human responsibility. God has mercy on whom He wills, yet people are called to respond to the Gospel. The tension exists because God’s plans are perfect and unchangeable, yet human hearts must voluntarily submit.

This means that God’s sovereignty does not undermine our choices—it secures them. We choose, but within the framework of God’s perfect will. It is God who draws us to Himself (John 6:44), yet He calls us to respond in faith and repentance. Think of it like a masterful playwright who writes the script, directs every scene, but still gives the actors freedom to play their roles authentically. God’s sovereignty is the grand design; our choices are the genuine responses that bring that design to life.

The great heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 understood this. They acted in faith, choosing to obey God even when the future was uncertain because they trusted God’s sovereign promises. Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary, showing total surrender to God’s power and will. This balance is key to living a faith-filled life. We cannot shirk responsibility thinking God’s in control, nor can we live as if our choices have no consequences because God is sovereign. Both are true: God reigns, and we choose.

God’s Sovereignty is the foundation of everything. It means that God is the ultimate Ruler, the King above all kings, whose authority stretches from the highest heavens to the depths of the earth. Nothing escapes His notice or control. As the psalmist declares, “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). Every detail, from the rising of the sun to the beating of a sparrow’s wing, unfolds according to His perfect plan. But this sovereignty is not distant or cold. It is intimately involved with His creation and with each of us. The Lord declares through Isaiah, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me” (Isaiah 45:5-6). God is actively working throughout history to accomplish His purposes.

At times, this overwhelming truth can seem intimidating—how can we, frail humans, make meaningful choices if God is in control of everything? The answer is found in the mystery of God’s nature and His loving design for relationship. He is both sovereign and relational, commanding yet inviting. Take the story of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, yet Pharaoh made his own stubborn choices. In Exodus 9:12, it says, “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron.” Yet Pharaoh repeatedly chose to resist God’s commands. Here we see God’s sovereignty working through human decisions—God’s plan to display His glory and power, and Pharaoh’s responsibility in his rebellion.

God’s sovereignty also brings comfort to believers. Knowing that God controls all things assures us that even when circumstances are dark or confusing, His plan is perfect and good. Romans 8:28 promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Nothing escapes God’s hands, and nothing happens by accident. This does not remove the weight of our choices; rather, it underscores their importance within God’s grand design. We are invited to cooperate with God’s will, to choose obedience and faith because God’s plan includes our free will.

The prophet Jeremiah was reminded of this balance when God said, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Yet Jeremiah had to choose to trust and follow amid exile and hardship. The sovereign God is also a loving Father who desires relationship with His children. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This shows the heart of God’s sovereignty—it is about His will being done through people who willingly submit, not through forced compliance. When we grasp God’s sovereignty this way, it fills us with awe and encourages us to walk humbly but boldly, knowing that our choices are meaningful threads woven into the tapestry of God’s eternal plan.

Understanding God’s sovereignty should never lead us to think our choices don’t matter. In fact, Scripture repeatedly calls us to choose—to take responsibility for our faith and actions. God’s control over all things does not erase the command to decide whom we will serve. Joshua’s challenge still echoes today: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). This is not an optional suggestion or a vague spiritual idea. It is a personal call that demands an answer, now and every day. God’s sovereignty doesn’t force our hand; He invites us to respond in faith.

The tension is real, but it is not contradictory. God’s plan is perfect and unchangeable, yet within that plan, He grants us real freedom to accept or reject Him. Paul shows this in Romans 9 and Romans 10, where God’s sovereign mercy and human responsibility meet. God saves those who call on Him, but we must call. God is powerful, but He waits for our willing response. Look at the prodigal son’s story (Luke 15). The Father loves and waits patiently, but the son still had to make the painful choice to return. The Father’s love was sovereign and sure, but the son’s repentance was his own decision. The same is true for us. God’s sovereignty is not a cage but a safe place in which we make the greatest choice of all: to trust Him and live in His grace. He holds the universe and your life in His hands, yet He invites your heart to say yes.

So, every moment you stand at that crossroads. The Creator who reigns over all also lovingly asks, “Will you follow Me?” That question demands your choice. Faith is not about fate or luck. It is a decision made freely but within the sure sovereignty of God. When we choose Yeshua, we are choosing God Himself in the person of His Son. This truth is profound and beautiful: Yeshua is fully God, and yet He is God’s Son—not in a human way, but in the eternal, divine sense revealed in Scripture.

John opens his Gospel with this powerful declaration: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). That Word is Yeshua, the living expression of God. Later, John says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Yeshua is God Himself, stepping into human history, fully divine and fully human. Paul confirms this in Colossians: “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). Yeshua is not just a great teacher or prophet. He is God in the flesh, the exact representation of God’s being.

Choosing Yeshua means stepping into the fullness of God’s kingdom here and now. When Jesus declared that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18), He was revealing the extent of His power—the eternal King who conquered death itself. His promise, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25), is not mere words but the foundation of hope for all who place their trust in Him.

This choice to follow Him is not a one-time event but a daily surrender. We commit ourselves to walk in His ways, relying on the power He provides to transform and sustain us. The apostle Paul encourages believers with the assurance that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). When we choose Yeshua, we become heirs of God’s promise, “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17), called to live by faith and obedience.

The blessings that flow from this choice touch every aspect of our lives. Jesus came so that we might “have life, and have it (more than) abundantly” (John 10:10), offering peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), joy even in trials (James 1:2-3), strength in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9), and a hope that cannot be shaken (Romans 15:13). These are not vague promises but the very reality of living in God’s presence.

Yet, the choice remains urgent. Joshua’s challenge rings as true today as it did thousands of years ago: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). The world offers fleeting shadows, but Christ is the unshakable Rock of Ages (1 Corinthians 10:4). We must decide whether to cling to empty idols or embrace the living God revealed through Yeshua, who is “the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

This decision carries eternal weight. Jesus reminds us, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38). Faith calls for surrender, courage, and commitment, yet it is the very pathway to life.

God’s sovereignty is at work even in this call. He has prepared a place for His people, promising, “I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2-3), and invites all who will come, declaring, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). Yet, this invitation respects our freedom—He will never force our hand. Our choice to respond in faith matters deeply to Him.

We just need to step forward with courage and choose life. Choose Yeshua, the only One who is fully God and fully Son, your eternal Redeemer and King. In choosing Him, you receive the unend-ing blessing of walking forever in the light of His love and truth (1 John 1:7).

✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️

The Human Side of Choosing

When Joshua stood before all Israel and declared, “But as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH” (Josh 24:15), he was not just making a statement of loyalty. He was pointing to a deeper reality: a choice that each of us can make, every single day. And that choice isn’t about rules or fear. It’s about relationship.

Because here’s the truth, YHWH is not distant. He is not a vague presence or a deity you have to guess at. He is very much alive. He knows your name. He knows your heart. And He wants to know you, truly, deeply, personally.

I know this because I have experienced it. YHWH speaks to me. He guides me. He has pointed out things I could never have found or done on my own. He has steered me through moments of decision, and calmed storms that were not visible to anyone else. Every waking moment, He is with me. Every step, every thought, every question I have, He meets me there. He has never led me wrong. And that isn’t just luck or coincidence. That is the God of the universe personally caring about me. About you.

You might be thinking, “But how do I even begin to experience that?” It’s simpler than most people expect. It isn’t about perfection or fancy rituals. It isn’t about hours of formal prayer. It’s about conversation. Plain, honest, everyday conversation with your Creator; your Savior. Talk to Him as you would a trusted friend. Share your thoughts. Your fears. Your joys. Your questions. And then, listen. Truly listen. Because He will respond. Not in an abstract, mystical way. Not in words that confuse you. But in ways that are clear, personal, and often surprising.

YHWH has even spoken to my husband over the years of our marriage, guiding him in ways that were so unexpected at first, he was shocked. But now, he looks forward to it, because he has learned that God’s guidance is real, practical, and life-changing. His conversations with YHWH are with his guitar. He’s written songs for and about Him. He plays them every night. And, He hears from the One they were played for.

This is not a distant, impersonal God. This is the One who formed your very being. The One who delights in you, even more than you delight in your children. The One who wants the best for you because He IS good. And YES! He has made a way for you to experience that intimacy with Yeshua today, in this moment, right where you are!

The invitation is simple: choose to serve Him. Choose to seek Him. Choose to speak with Him, and then listen. He will meet you there. He will reveal His love, His wisdom, and His guidance. And once you experience that, everything changes. You are no longer wandering. You are no longer just existing. You are walking in a relationship with the Creator of the heavens and the earth, your personal God, who knows you, loves you, and wants you to thrive.

Take that first step of conversation. Speak. Ask. Listen. And then, watch how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob begins to reveal Himself to you, not in distant thunder, but in the quiet, intimate moments of your life.

Choose this day whom you will serve

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