On Making Good Decisions

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?” – 2 Kings 20:19

Isaiah (God’s prophet) told Hezekiah (king of Judah) that one day everything in his palace (including his descendants) would be carried off to Babylon. This prophetic proclamation came about because Hezekiah had revealed the strength and wealth of the kingdom to Babylonian representatives. The troubling fact is that when Hezekiah heard God’s Word through Isaiah, he was neither grieved nor concerned. The king considered Isaiah’s message to be good news, because his personal life and future would not be affected. His descendants might suffer, but only after he was long gone.

Every decision we make will most likely affect the life of another; therefore, before we act, we must think of the consequences of those actions and how others will be affected. It is the height of selfish irresponsibility to do anything less and frankly, if we desire to make good decisions at all, then others (present or not) must be considered.

A belief in God helps provide a foundation to arbitrate our decisions. Without this foundation, we are condemned to live essentially formless lives. – Armstrong Williams