The Valley Of Decision

As I walked our property early this morning, I was praying so earnestly. There seemed so much to talk to God about. Just in the last two days, I have learned of far too many deaths, hospitalizations, and people in quarantine. Then there was the news coming out of Kabul, Afghanistan. It was early, and the reports were unconfirmed, but my soul and spirit knew it wasn't going to end well. The temptation with all this was to become overwhelmed with sadness, frustration, and yes, anger. But then I would focus on the beautiful creation all around me as I walked... bees pollinating the brilliantly-colored morning glories; the ripples of frogs in the tank; the complex patterns of the spider webs I passed; the lushness of the vegetation and undergrowth after the rain we received yesterday, and the playfulness of the three-week old kittens as they frolicked on the deck. All that re-focused my spirit back on God.

I poured out my heart to Him and prayed, asking for His will to be done in all the areas that I'd expressed dismay and anguish over. I knew He heard me, but then I decided it was time to listen to Him, so I asked Him for a word of knowledge. I asked Him to show me or tell me what He wanted me to know, or what He wanted me to share. And what popped into my head was "The Valley of Decision". I know what my immediate thoughts were, but I wanted to know what He meant by responding to my request. As it turned out, they are connected, yet separate truths.

First, what my heart and head thinks when I hear those words is not the context in which "The Valley of Decision" is mentioned in the Bible. And I will present that concept next, but I want to stress that my personal thoughts may not reflect the context of Scripture, but they are still Biblical and true. So, here is what I want you to know: Whether you believe in God, or not; or the Bible, or not, there is a Truth that  Good and Evil exist in the world, and every single person must make a decision which side he or she is going to be loyal to. There is a destination for everyone after they die, and your decision in this life determines where you will spend the rest of eternity.

It is no longer possible or productive to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that things will return or go on as normal; that what the world is experiencing is just "a bump in the road of history". If you choose to follow that path, then you will simply be swept up in the pressure to "go along to get along"; or to follow the masses. If you are not willing to take a good, hard look at the dividing line between Good and Evil, then you will be susceptible to false narratives, hoping things will level out, only to be led into destruction by the rebellious evil-doers. It's not enough to be a "good person" or be nice to everyone. You can't walk the middle line and hope to be counted as choosing one side or the other. It's not a question of being balanced. You must clearly define your position! To try to walk that line and make no decision for Good, is a decision. You will be counted among the apostate; one who refused to make a decision.

There is a Truth that there is a very real Book of Life in the possession of our Creator. Those who choose to follow the righteous Creator of the Universe will have their names written in that Book of Life. Those who choose to reject Him will decide to follow Satan, the once beautiful Angel [of the highest order] who used his free will to rebel because of pride and conceit. Right now it is becoming increasingly apparent who has chosen to believe his false promises of power, wealth, and immortality. And it will soon appear as if they and their evil ways will triumph and prevail over those who decided to choose God. They will persecute the God-choosers; perpetuating their evil and intolerance against our choice. We will soon be called upon to exhibit more courage, faith, perseverance, wisdom, and unwavering loyalty than ever before in history. It will be a time of sacrifice and martyrs. I know that's  not what you want to hear, but as a Watchman on the Wall, I am entrusted by God to warn you in Truth and Spirit. It is time for the people of the earth to make a decision!

Now, I mentioned that there is God's perspective on the Valley of Decision, and that is something that is equally important for us to discern. Here is what the Bible says about this perspective: Joel 3:14 says, Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision (judgment)! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision [when judgment is executed].  This verse is not describing the fate of humans whose lives are hanging in the balance because they are trying to decide if they are going to choose God or not. When you consider the context of this entire chapter of Joel, it becomes apparent that God is speaking about His decisions to judge the nations for their treatment of His chosen people, Israel. The decision is being made by God, not the people who are being judged. At this moment of time in Joel, the door has already closed for humans to make their decision, and it is God who is going to judge the peoples/nations who have not chosen Him. It is interesting that the translation of the Septuagint reads, the "valley of punishment" or the "valley of vengeance". Therefore, this time of God's decision is happening at the time of the future Judgment Day. 

Ultimately, we must rightly discern that, in Joel 3:14, the Valley of Decision is not about humans making a decision for God -- although that is a reality that must be executed -- but is rather about God making a decision about His judgement of people. The Son of Man will soon come in His glory, and all the holy angels, and He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him. And as the Good Shepherd, He will separate the nations, dividing His sheep from Satan's goats. You want to be counted among the sheep! So, here is an inescapable truth that cannot be denied ... the door for Decision [by both man and God] is closing. The ultimate plan of God to restore the earth to His Dominion is fast approaching. God will soon make His decision ... Have you made yours?

Joshua 24:15    And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.