We may have secret longings too deep to utter to others—perhaps a desire
for marriage, or a work or ministry we’d like to perform, or a special place to
serve. We must put each desire in God’s hands and pray, “Lord, You must choose
for me. I will not choose for myself.”
Genesis 13:10-11 tells
us that Lot made his own choice about a desire he had. He “lifted his eyes and
saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere . . . like the
garden of the Lord . . . . Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan.”
The plain of Jordan, with its rich soil and copious water supply, looked
best to Lot. But the land was polluted with wickedness (v.13). Pastor Ray
Stedman wrote that “Lot, presuming to run his own life, ‘chose for himself,’
and, deceived by what he saw, stumbled blindly into heartache and judgment.
Abram, on the other hand, was content to let God choose for him. . . . Abram
saw it in its true light.” Lot chose for himself and lost everything—his
family, his fortune, his favor with man.
It is always the best course for us to let God choose and to follow His
direction, knowing as we do that all our heavenly Father’s choices are prompted
by infinite wisdom and love.
Contentment comes when we want God’s will more than our own way. (RBC)
