Staying In Step with God
Making major life choices requires more than impulse or human reasoning; it demands **God# Master Decision Making: Stay in Step with God (Lessons from Moses)
Making major life choices requires more than impulse or human reasoning; it demands Godly guidance. To navigate life’s decisions effectively, individuals must consistently ask three crucial questions: What, When, and How. Failing to consider even one of these components often leads to costly mistakes and regrettable consequences.
The story of Moses, detailed in the second chapter of Exodus, provides a powerful lesson on the dangers of getting ahead of God. Despite having a position of power, prominence, and prestige in the palace of Egypt, Moses made a single, impulsive, wrong decision that caused him to lose everything.
Moses’ Costly Mistake: Getting Ahead of God
Moses was raised knowing he was a Hebrew, exposed to the knowledge of Jehovah by his own mother at Pharaoh’s expense. When he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, one of his brethren, Moses took action, looking around to ensure no one was watching, and struck down the Egyptian, hiding the body in the sand.
The next day, when two Hebrews were fighting, Moses intervened, only to have one ask, “Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?”. Realizing his secret was known, Moses fled when Pharaoh sought to kill him. His quick decision led to him being cast out of his position and homeland, forcing him to travel many miles through the desert of Midian to become a sheepherder.
Moses lost everything because he acted without first stopping to ask: “What should I do, when should I do it, and how should I do it?”. This demonstrates how one wrong decision can jeopardize everything God has planned.
How Moses Got Ahead of God (And How We Do Too)
The sources highlight several ways Moses—and modern believers—get ahead of God, leading to poor decision-making:
- Focusing on the Event, Not the Big Picture: Moses focused narrowly on the fight between the Egyptian and the Hebrew. He failed to grasp God’s awesome and big picture plan to liberate all the Hebrews forty years later. We must consider the potential consequences of our decisions rather than focusing only on the immediate event.
- Following Human Reasoning Over God’s Guidance: Moses followed his own flawed reasoning and instinct. God is always available to help us make decisions. Following human reason often leads to extremely costly mistakes in every aspect of life.
- Acting on Impulse Rather than Seeking God’s Will: Moses’ impulse was to defend the Hebrew, but he failed to consider the wisest thing to do in the big picture. Quick reactions are often driven by attitude, prejudice, or selfishness. God does not want us making decisions that affect our entire life regardless of His will, purpose, and plan.
- Acting on Self-Strength and Anger: Moses acted in his own strength, fueled by anger. This contrasted with God’s power, which could easily destroy the Egyptian army and set two million Hebrews free. Anger, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness are dangers that can ignite impulsive, devastating, and costly actions. The Bible permits anger regarding a circumstance but forbids holding anger toward someone; we are commanded to be forgiving.
- Failing to Consider the Consequences: Decision-making is serious business, whether the choices seem major or mild. Some decisions last a lifetime, are expensive, cruel, or never leave us.
Keys to Staying in Step with God
To live a life in agreement with God’s plan and avoid disastrous choices, we must strive to stay in step with God. This walk requires specific daily practices centered on obedience and reliance on God’s resources.
1. Obedience is the Cornerstone
The ultimate response to God’s unconditional love is obedience. If an individual genuinely loves God, they will obey Him. While one may hesitate or argue with God’s direction, ultimately, obedience must be the choice. You can never go wrong obeying God.
2. Prioritize God’s Word (The Bible)
The Word of God is the light and direction for our life. It is the ultimate pathway through every circumstance. God speaks primarily through His Word.
- Closed Book, Closed Guidance: You cannot live a godly life, make wise decisions, or become the person God wants you to be with a closed Bible. The single major weakness in the life of many believers is that they pray but neglect dedicated time in God’s Word.
- Finding Answers: There is not a single spiritual question for which an answer cannot be found somewhere in the Bible. Resources like a concordance or index can help locate Scriptures relevant to one’s situation, allowing God to show what to do.
- Conviction: The primary reason many people avoid reading the Bible is because it will convict them of sin. The Christian life is built on the truth of God’s Word.
- Building a Spiritual Diary: When reading the Bible, believers should make notes—writing down the Scripture, the date, and the issue they were facing (e.g., temptation, doubt, fear). This creates a personal “diary” that records how God answered prayers and fulfilled promises. Reviewing these notes builds faith for future challenges.
3. Seek Specific Direction Through Prayer and Word
While prayer is essential, just praying won’t answer it. If you only talk to God without opening the Bible, you are talking to a God you don’t know well and are not asking Him to talk back. We must ask God to show us direction through the Word of God. God is willing to tell you exactly what to do if you ask Him.
4. Trust in God’s Provision
When we stay in step with God, He provides everything we need. He supplies all needs “according to His riches in glory,” meaning His resources are inexhaustible. Our relationship with God is personal and intimate; He controls everything and is ready to give direction.
5. Overcome Fear
Many difficult decisions are frightening. Fear arises primarily because we are not acquainted with the Word of God. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. When we seek the mind of God and our relationship with Him is right, we will not fear.
6. Be Willing to Wait for God’s Timing
Impatience is a common problem. If God has not yet answered a petition, it is often because:
- We are not ready to listen or hear Him.
- The time is not right.
God operates on a timetable that is best for us, not one that suits our impatience. We experience His power when we wait upon Him and trust Him. God does not expect us to make decisions apart from the Holy Spirit, prayer, and His Word.