"the valley of decision"
"Crowd upon crowd in the valley of decision; for near is the day of the Lord in the valley of decision." —Joel 4:14
Joel prophesied that on the final day, at the end of the world, all human beings from all time will be gathered "in the valley of decision." In this valley, it will be too late to make any decisions. There we will learn the final, everlasting effects of our decisions. If we have decided to fully give and live our lives for Jesus, we will have everlasting life with Him in heaven. However, if we have never made a decision for Christ, we have in effect made a decision against Him (see Mk 8:38). We have refused His love. The effect of this decision is final, irreversible, everlasting separation from His love. Our decision against Christ is a decision for the loveless loneliness of selfishness forever.
What decisions are you taking with you into the valley of decision? Where will you go after leaving the valley of decision? Will you go to God's holy mountain in heaven or to the burning pits of hell? It's your decision. Jesus will be either our Savior or a stumbling-block (Mt 11:6). Our decision about Jesus will either save us or damn us. Decide for love. Decide for life (Dt 30:19). Decide for Jesus — now.
Prayer: Jesus, You gave Your life for me. I give my life for You. I am all Yours.
Promise: "Blest are they who hear the word of God and keep it." —Lk 11:28
Praise: Linda invited a woman to come back to the Church. A year later, she did return to the Lord and to the Church.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 22, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 26, 1997