Freedom to Choose
Now when David arose in the morning, the word of the Lordcame to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and tell David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.”’” - 2 Samuel 24:11-12
David sincerely repented and God in His mercy once again forgave him. God had spoken to the prophet Gad––one of David’s personal counselors and gave David counsel––when Saul pursued him, to leave his secure stronghold, believed to be in Moab and move to Judah. David took his counsel and went into the forest of Hereth (1 Samuel 22:5).
Now Gad, his trusted counselor came to David once more with a message from the Lord. Notice, he did not address his sin; as David had already repented. But he would be told of three different penalties for his sin. David would have to make the hard decision to choose one of three things he would describe. God gave David the freedom to choose his punishment.
Imagine, God has created us with the ability to exercise free will. We can either choose to disobey God and sin or live a life in obedience, in accordance to God’s Word. Joshua, the leader of Israel, presented to the people of Israel the freedom of choice when he said:
…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of 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” (Joshua 24:15).
In the case of our eternal destiny, once presented with the Gospel message we are left with two very important choices. Those who choose Christ to be their Savior will enter heaven (John 14:3). Hell was made for the devil and his angels (Mathew 25:41), but if we choose to reject God’s salvation through Jesus Christ then He will honor that choice.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~Romans 6:23~
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