A couple of weeks ago, while going to work early in the morning, I saw a man walk past me. He was wearing a T-shirt and what was written on it caught my attention, in fact I almost did not believe what I read and had to read it a second time.  The words were, ‘I choose death’ and there was an image of a skull in the background.



I walked away wondering why someone would choose death. It could be a means to attract attention and it worked but I wondered if the person wearing the T-shirt actually understood the message he was passing across?

Choices are so important in the life of a person.  In fact, every day of our lives, we make choices. What defines us and indeed what makes us who we are, are the choices we make on a daily basis.

At the peak of his reign, King David gave an order for a census to be carried out in Israel. (2 Sam 24) Joab his commander knew that this decision ran contrary to the command of God.  Taking the number of the people, could only create pride and reliance on the military strength of a nation which has up till this time relied on God for victory in all their battles.

In spite of Joab’s appeal, the king’s decision overruled and insisted his order be carried out, thus making a choice with far-reaching consequences.

After the census had been taken, David realized the futility of his action and asked God for forgiveness. God indeed forgave him but David and by extension, all Israel had to face the consequences of that action. One lesson we learn from this is that the bad choices we make do not only bring consequences to us but to others as well. Families have been ruined due to the choices made one person. Nations have gone to war due to choices made by one individual and companies have been ruined due to choices made by one person.

In verse 12 of the above chapter, God gave David three options to choose from. One was to endure seven years of famine, another was defeat in the face of the enemy for three months and the third option was for God to allow three days of plagues to visit them.

David chose wisely this time and gave valid reasons for his choice. He chose the third option, God himself to send his angel to attack the people with plagues. His reason was that he would rather let God discipline him rather than allow other men to be used as agents. His reasoning was that God is merciful, even when He disciplines us; He is quick to show mercy.

David was right, by the time the angel commissioned by God to carry out this assignment got to Jerusalem, God had to intervene. By this time, seventy thousand people had died. The angel was already standing in position over Israel about to launch the dreaded plague on the city when he Lord stopped him.

Choices are not easy to make all the time. However when make those choices, we need to take careful consideration of the resultant consequences of those choices. The worst thing a man can do it to make a choice without considering the consequences. Indeed it is not only bad choices that carry with it serious consequences, even good ones to sometimes.

For example, Jesus made a choice to come to this world to save the world from the power and consequence of sin. In doing so however, he faced the consequence of suffering and dying at the cross. The difference however is that with good choices come a benefit, not only for one but for many. This is the dividing line between good and bad choices.

As we start a new year, let us carefully consider the choices we make on a daily basis, not only for our benefit but also for the benefit of others who might in some way be affected directly or indirectly by our decisions.

Happy new year to you.

Steve O. Popoola
Biblepraise Fellowship Online

© January, 2011

Steve Popoola is the editor of Biblepraise Newsletter and the webmaster of Biblepraise Fellowship Online at http://www.biblepraise.org. He currently resides in London where he works as an IT professional. He serves in the ministerial team of his local church as well as in the music ministry. He is the Moderator/Editor of Biblepraise Newsletter. He can be reached through His email address, steve@biblepraise.org