Rather

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." (Psalm 84: 10 KJV)

The word "rather" is a commonly used word and generally means "more," or "to a greater degree." It is often used in the sense of "instead" or "preferably." It is a word often associated with the word "better," and to signify a contrast. The word "rather" is used in sentences to distinguish between things, and imply a judgment about the worth of things being distinguished, or a preference.

This word is used commonly in ways people do not really mean. People say - "I'd rather die than..." Most times, this is an exaggeration, for people would often rather live. Sometimes, in the language of the common man, someone can be heard to say - "If I had my rathers..." That is to say, "if I had a choice, I would rather choose this over that."

The above words of David, the "sweet Psalmist of Israel" (II Samuel 23: 1 KJV), have a famous "rather" in them. Most Christians who have read the Bible thoroughly will often remember these words of David for they express his own preferences ("rathers") and choices about "things that differ" or "things that are more excellent." (Romans 2: 18)

The Christian knows what it means to "dwell in the tents of wickedness" for he was a depraved and lost sinner as everyone else in the world. Every sinner resides in the tents of wickedness, having made sin his home. He has not only made short "visits" to the dwellingplace of sin, but he has made his abode there. It is an old saying - "if you don't want to eat the fruits of sin, then stay out of the orchard!" But, sinful men love the taste and fruit of sin, and therefore make their home in the orchards of sin. Like Lot, Abraham's nephew, sinners, if they don't move into the urban districts of sinful Sodom, yet they nevertheless "pitch their tents near or towards Sodom," dwelling rather in its suburbs. (Genesis 13: 12 KJV)

The Christian, however, by God's grace and power, has lost delight in sin, and who now rather loathes it and delights rather in God and in righteousness. His delight and joy now come from dwelling in the "courts" of the Lord, in his house, rather than in the house and "tents" of the wicked.

"Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold." (Proverbs 8: 10 KJV)

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" (Proverbs 16: 16 KJV)

The knowledge of God, truth, and righteousness is the thing that ought to be sought and desired above every other thing. This ought to be an obvious proposition, but sadly, it is not. Said the oracle of God -

"Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth (rather) glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 9: 23, 24 KJV)

To seek wisdom requires that one seek God, the source of all wisdom and knowledge, or to seek Christ, who is the very "Wisdom of God" (I Corinthians 1: 24, 30) and who is said to be "filled with all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2: 3)

A man who had "rather" spend his all to obtain worldly wealth and honor is someone who has made a bad decision, who has not judged things properly, and who has failed to see and judge what was truly "worthwhile" in life. But, a man who has chosen Christ and good works over the accumulation of wealth, has discerned what is truly preferable and worthwhile.

"For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12: 30, 31 KJV)

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3: 19 KJV)

Men, because of their fallen depraved natures, love and delight in sin and disobedience. They enjoy their life of rebellion and their many disobediences. God says "do not commit fornication," and "do not commit adultery," yet men have a taste (lust) for what God forbids, and so he sins. He says to himself - "Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant." (Proverbs 9: 17 KJV) He "drinketh iniquity like water." (Job 15: 16 KJV)

Men "love darkness." Simply put, men look at sin as "innocent fun." However, there is nothing "funny" about sin, and those who think sin is delightful and enjoyable, sooner or later, when they reap the adverse consequences of their sinful indulgences, come to painfully realize this fact.

Jesus is the "Light of the world," and to choose rather to have Jesus and his righteousness, rather than the sinful darkness, or worldly wealth and fame, or one's own self-righteousness, is truly the best choice. This is beautifully expressed in this famous hymn.

"I’d Rather Have Jesus"

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,
I’d rather be true to His holy name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out of the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season..." (Hebrews 11: 25 KJV)

This is what the Christian has done in his coming to Christ, in his conversion and rebirth. He has made a choice through the Spirit, a choice to follow Christ, and a choice to forsake the "pleasures of sin" and find greater pleasures in following Christ and in being his disciple and servant. Moses, in making his choice, had a vision of "greater riches than the treasures in Egypt," and likewise, the Christian has also seen, by faith, Christ and the riches of heaven, having been attracted and drawn to them.

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12: 9 KJV)

How sad that many sinners give greater obedience, respect, and honor to their earthly parents, rather than to their God and Creator, to the Father in heaven, to the Father of spirits! And, this "subjection to" God is the way to "life," both here and now, and forever throughout the ages of the ages.

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5: 29 KJV)

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10: 28 KJV)

Here are some "ought rather" statements that are worth careful thought. Men should "rather" put God first in their lives, and be foremost ready to obey his word, more than that of the world or of men.

"A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22: 1 KJV)

Here is a very important "rather" or preference for all men to choose. To have a good name and a good character behind it, is truly to be preferred above earthly wealth. How many rich men lack a "good name"!

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12: 9 KJV)

What an attitude! One that the Father of spirits is pleased with! The Christian who loves his Lord and Father is one who would "rather" let Christ have all the praise, all the glory, all the attention and fame.

Friend, would you "rather" have Christ and the true riches of heaven, or the fading treasures of earth? Would you "rather" have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or would you rather have none, or some other? Your answer and decision on this matter will ultimately determine your eternal destiny. How will you decide?