Dealing With Difficult Decisions Part II by Martin Wiles

“Eenie, meenie, miney mo, catch a __________ by his toe. If he hollers let him go, eenie, meenie, miney mo. A simple childhood chant sang while choosing between several objects or people.

If only making major life decisions were so simple, but it’s not. Some are extremely difficult as was Rehoboam’s. He was King Solomon’s son who inherited the throne upon his father’s death. Solomon’s reign was splattered with high taxes and harsh labor demands. The people craved relief and saw an opportunity with Rehoboam. 

“Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us” (I Kings 12:4). To his credit, Rehoboam consulted with others instead of making a hasty decision. His father’s counselors said, “Listen to the people’s request,” but his immature peers told him to rule with a sterner hand than had his father. Unfortunately, he took the latter’s advice, and it led to an unrecoverable division.

Rehoboam’s first recourse when faced with a difficult decision was getting alone with God. “Give me three days to think this over,” he said (v. 5 NLT). God desires we get still before him so that in the quietness he can remind us he’s still the wisdom giver. Silence allows us to hear God clearly.

Rehoboam’s second course of action also bears repeating. Counsel from others can be helpful but only when the advice comes from godly individuals who’ve built their life’s foundation on scriptural principles. Counsel from those who lack a relationship with God is always suspect. When facing tough decisions, get still before God and seek wise counsel.

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for speaking to us when we’re faced with tough decisions. Help us recognize Your voice in the stillness and through others.