Choosing What is Right Regardless of the Consequences!

Have you ever found yourself faced with a decision that could have serious implications? You know what the right thing to do or say is but you also know in so doing you face the possibility of maybe losing your job or a friend or something else. What do you do? It’s definitely a tough call.

Most every day our faith will be challenged. We will be faced with issues and decisions that require a departure from the crowd’s choice if we intend to do or say what we know is right. In the business-world, you will be asked, and too often, forced to say and do things which you know are wrong, maybe not seriously wrong, but still wrong. So, where do you draw the line? What do you do? You need that job; you don’t want to anger a friend—what do you do?

It’s hard to confront this dilemma due to its often serious ramifications, but I believe we have an obligation to GOD to choose what is right regardless of the consequences. Consider the challenge these men faced: “Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?’” (Daniel 3:14-15 NLT).

Simply put, do what I tell you to do or else it’s going to get real serious for you guys—serious to the point of death. Now, I don’t believe any of you will be challenged as seriously as these three guys were, but your faith will be challenged.

So, what did they do? The easy way out would have been to simply say, “Ok, I’ll bow down on the outside but, inside I continue to stand! It’ll be ok, GOD understands my situation.” But, without hesitation, these men chose the tough road as they replied: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (vv. 16-18).

For their refusal to bow, they were thrown into the furnace; but, GOD delivered them from it and they came out untouched by the flames. In addition, GOD received the glory and honor for their faithfulness. Certainly, it’s tough in today’s world to take a stand and just say “NO!” There is almost always an easier out but choosing what is right regardless of the consequences is GOD’s design and purpose for His people.

Scripture Reading: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell….Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:28,32-33 NLT).

Prayer: Father, it is often tough in today’s world to stand up for what is right. It is so much easier to follow the crowd and go along with what I am being told to do. But, GOD, I know that dishonors You. I desire to honor You in all I do, so I pray You would give me the strength today to follow You and to do what You have called me to regardless of the consequences the world may deliver to me. I seek to do Your will, O, Lord always…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!