Making The Hard Choices

In the grand tapestry of faith, few stories are as poignant and instructive as Israel's return from exile. This pivotal moment in history offers us a wealth of spiritual insights that resonate deeply with our modern struggles and aspirations.

Imagine a people, long separated from their homeland, finally returning after 70 years of exile. Their hearts are full of hope and their spirits buoyed by the promise of a new beginning. As they lay the foundation for the rebuilt temple, their voices rise in a simple yet profound song of praise: "For he is good, his loyal love toward Israel is forever."

This moment of jubilation speaks volumes about the nature of true worship. It's not about complexity or showmanship; it's about sincere gratitude rooted in humility. When we recognize that we deserve less than what we've received, our hearts naturally overflow with thankfulness. This attitude of gratitude becomes the wellspring from which authentic praise flows.

However, life rarely remains on the mountaintop. Soon after their triumphant return, the Israelites faced resistance, discouragement, and fear. Their neighbors, threatened by their presence, began a campaign of opposition that lasted for decades. It's a stark reminder that following God's path doesn't guarantee an easy journey.

In these challenges, we find valuable lessons for our own spiritual walk:

1. Resistance doesn't necessarily indicate wrong direction. In fact, the path of righteousness is often the more difficult one. We should be more suspicious of paths that offer no resistance at all.
2. Discouragement doesn't have to be debilitating. When we surround ourselves with godly support and encouragement, we can find the strength to persevere through the toughest times.
3. Fear focuses on an uncertain future, robbing us of today's purpose. The antidote? Getting back to work on what God has called us to do today.

The story takes a sobering turn when we learn that some of the returned exiles had fallen back into old patterns of unfaithfulness. They had intermarried with the local population, compromising their distinct identity as God's people. This revelation broke the heart of Ezra, a leader who had come to help rebuild Jerusalem.

Ezra's response to this crisis provides a powerful model for dealing with sin and failure:

1. Emotional: He was deeply moved, tearing his clothes and pulling out his hair in anguish.
2. Verbal: He confessed the people's sins before God, acknowledging their guilt and God's righteousness.
3. Physical: He took decisive action, leading the people to make a covenant to separate themselves from their foreign wives and children.

This last step is undoubtedly heart-wrenching. It illustrates a crucial truth: the consequences of disobedience are often far more painful than the discipline of obedience. As difficult as it may be to make godly choices in the moment, it's far harder to clean up the mess left by poor decisions.

The takeaway is clear: Make the hard choices now to prevent having to make the harder choices later. It's reminiscent of financial advisor Dave Ramsey's advice: "Live like no one else now, so you can live like no one else later." In spiritual terms, this means choosing the path of obedience and righteousness, even when it's difficult, to avoid the crushing weight of sin's consequences down the road.

At the heart of this entire narrative is the concept of discipline. It's the thread that weaves through every aspect of our spiritual journey:

Discipline in worship: Choosing daily to cultivate an attitude of gratitude, recognizing God's goodness even in challenging circumstances.

Discipline in focus: Consistently redirecting our attention to our spiritual mission, especially when faced with discouragement or fear.

Discipline in choices: Making righteous decisions day by day, even when they're difficult, to build a life of integrity and avoid devastating consequences.

This discipline isn't about rigid rule-following or joyless duty. Instead, it's about training ourselves to align with God's heart and purposes. It's about developing the habits and character that allow us to live out our faith authentically and powerfully.

As we reflect on these lessons from Israel's return, we're challenged to examine our own lives. Are we cultivating a heart of gratitude that leads to sincere worship? Are we allowing resistance and discouragement to derail us, or are we pressing forward in our God-given purpose? Are we making the hard choices now that will lead to spiritual growth and freedom, or are we setting ourselves up for painful consequences down the road?

The good news is that no matter where we find ourselves on this journey, there is always hope. Just as God restored Israel and gave them a new beginning, He offers us the same opportunity for renewal and redemption. Our past failures don't have to define our future. With each breath we're given, we have the chance to choose obedience, to cultivate gratitude, and to align ourselves more closely with God's will.

Let's commit to "shouting it out" in praise, recognizing God's goodness even in difficult times. Let's "work it out" by staying focused on our spiritual mission and purpose. And let's "live it out" by making righteous choices daily, no matter how challenging they may be.

In doing so, we'll find ourselves on a transformative journey – one that leads us from mere discipline to deep devotion, from obligation to joyful obedience. It's a path that may not always be easy, but it's one that leads to true fulfillment and a life that glorifies God in every way.