OR ELSE – What leads to Victory or Defeat?

Or Else

Making Room For God – From the Edges

February 12, 2025

We are in a season in our weekend worship experiences and, in these devotionals, where we are focusing on “Making Room for God”. It shouldn’t be something we have to think about or devote time, energy and thought in doing. It should be something that happens naturally, systematically, and without to much thought. It should be allowing holiness, redemption and righteousness to prevail before anything else.

In my prayer time this morning before even one light was turned on. I thought, prayed, talked to God and listened. A two-word phrase broke into this time. The phrase “Or Else”. “Or Else” seems to appear often in our own words or the words of others. I realized how much I dislike the phrase. It sounds like threat, pressure, or consequence. Yet Scripture often places us at a crossroads where “or else” is not spoken harshly or negatively but lovingly, affirming, and with invitation.

From the beginning, God reveals Himself as Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—always making a way. God gives direction, provides guidance, and invites trust. Again and again, God says, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). But when direction is given, a choice always follows.

And with choice comes an or else.

The danger is not God’s or else.

The danger is ours.

How often do we treat God with conditions?

“God, do this—or else I’ll take matters into my own hands.”

“God, answer this prayer—or else I’ll walk another path.”

“God, show up—or else I’ll settle for something else.”

I recently had someone fully devoted to God who has left the faith and instead followed the ways of the world for the excitement it brings say “everything is good, I have a good job, a lot of friends, I’m having fun and living the good life.”  I just don’t know how to convince this person, who means a lot to me, that they are in a dangerous place in their faith journey.

Scripture names this clearly: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). When God’s way feels slow or costly, we are tempted to create our own ways and desires, our own or else, and sometimes, our own idols, leading us to a place that is dangerous for our soul and spirit.

But God’s or else is different.

Jesus speaks with clarity and compassion:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The invitation implies a choice. Come… or else continue carrying what exhausts you.

God speaks covenant language throughout Scripture, one example being “I will be your God, and you will be my people” (Jeremiah 30:22). The promise is intimate and life-giving. Yet it also calls for response. Make room for Me… or else remain crowded by what cannot save you.

God does not threaten abandonment. He offers belonging.

God does not pound us with obedience. He invites surrender.

God’s or else is not punishment, it should invite what reality is.

Lean into God’s or else. Come to Him with your weariness, or else keep striving for those things that will not satisfy. Make room for God’s presence, or else stay sinfully full but inwardly spiritually empty. Trust God’s way, or else walk paths that cannot lead to life.

Joshua framed it plainly: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

The invitation still stands. The choice still matters.

Prayer: Holy God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—teach me to stop bargaining with You. Help me release my conditions and lean into Your way. I choose Your presence over my alternatives. Dwell in me, be my God, and shape my life as Your own. Amen.

Praying that you choose the right “OR ELSE” –

Pastor Calvin Cook