Scripture for the Day
December 1, 2020
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14)
One of the saddest stories in the Bible is in Acts 26 concerning King Agrippa. Paul had just shared his full testimony, including his Damascus road experience, with King Agrippa. One of the King’s Noblemen (Festus) responded to Paul’s testimony in a loud voice and accused Paul of being mad. The sad part was King Agrippa’s response was as follows: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28)
Agrippa was in the “Valley of Decision”. He was so close. Paul sensed that Agrippa wanted to believe but the King could not get past the political correctness and peer pressure of his generation. He was just an inch away from freedom and forgiveness and it was stolen from him by the enemy. We have been in a very unique position over the years of our ministry to witness this same type event in the lives of people and in the lives of businesses. There are only a few large Christian based businesses that have stayed true to their beliefs and calling. Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby, Interstate Batteries, and Tyson Foods are just four such examples. I don’t know all the background of each of these companies but I can assure you that their leaders had to go through a valley of decision concerning their stands.
Let me ask you a question. How many times do you think Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, had to say no to opening on Sundays? I would bet it was a lot. I can hear it now from some bright young business executive, lawyer, or consultant; “Your sales would be so much better if you opened on Sunday. Sunday is one of the busiest food service days of the week. And by the way, you would be serving mainly church goers.”
Mr. Cathy made the decision to stay true to his beliefs and said it was the best corporate decision he had ever made. By the way, Chick-fil-A sells more in six days than other fast food operations sell in seven days. God has truly blessed this company because of their firm stand. Over the years we have personally witnessed several other large corporations, that promoted Christian values, arrive at this same valley of decision. In each case, they had to make a decision to follow the Lord or follow the world. I am sorry to say that several of those corporations made the wrong decision and some are not with us anymore. They were like King Agrippa. They were almost there but they could not get past all the worldly logic that they could make more money if they left God out of the equation. They were three feet from gold and blessings and could not see it.
So the question is, where are you today? In your life or business, are you in the valley of decision? What will you do when pressed to take God out? I pray when you come to this valley of decision, and you may come there several times, that you keep Jesus as your foundation and keep Him first. As Truett Cathy said, it will be the best decision you ever make.
