Daily Devotional for February 19, 2011

Matthew 27:18-19; 24-25
Pilate knew that the leaders had brought Jesus to him because they were jealous. While Pilate was judging the case, his wife sent him a message. It said, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. I have had nightmares because of him."

Pilate saw that there was nothing he could do and that the people were starting to riot. So he took some water and washed his hands in front of them and said, "I won't have anything to do with killing this man. You are the ones doing it!" Everyone answered, "We and our own families will take the blame for his death!"

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

There often comes a time when we have done all we can do in a particular situation. We see things headed toward disaster… a “train wreck” in the making… and there is no way we can stop this. It’s like telling a toddler repeatedly, “Get down, or you’re going to fall.” Much as it hurts the child… and those who are watching… sometimes the child has to fall to really learn his/her lesson.

Sometimes, as in the case of Pontius Pilate, we see a huge mistake in the making, and rather than speak up and say, “This is wrong,” we merely step aside and “wash our hands” of the situation. In Pilate’s case, things had to happen as they did for God’s plan to be accomplished. But we are often not operating within God’s plan when we do this. We just don’t want to be “the bad guy,” suffer any ridicule or fallout, or get heavily involved in what could be a complicated situation.

How do you know “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em,” as the song says? The only sure way to know you are making the right choice is to stay in constant communication with God. Be so in tune with His word and His will that you know whether to get involved or “wash your hands” of a particular situation or person. There is a time for both… the key is confidently discerning which is which! Only God can decide… and only when you know that He is behind the choice can you be sure you’ve made the right one.

There are times to step up and speak out… and there are times to step aside and let the chips fall where they may. Will you depend on God’s wisdom in your decision? Or will you be swayed by the people, like Pilate? Life is filled with choices… Who is helping you make yours?

©2011 Debbie Robus