“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 NKJV.
In every aspect of your life, seek and submit to God’s will and wisdom first.
My thoughts and comments today are about “God, first and foremost.”
Everyday life is filled with decisions; those decisions often have unexpected consequences. And invariably, those consequences affect more than yourself. How can you know the decisions you make are wise? How can you minimize the impact of your decisions on others? You can purchase life, home, or auto insurance to offset a loss you experience. But what will protect you against costly errors or misjudgments?
Life can become confusing. There are so many variables, known and unknown. Life offers multiple options, not all of which are good. There are choices to be made, often without sufficient knowledge and experience, or even adequate time to understand and choose wisely. Sometimes the options are between better and best, at other times between right and wrong. There has to be a better way than guessing, and hoping you are right.
Upon his coronation, Solomon sought and received wisdom and knowledge from God. Read 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 NIV. But if you know the history of Solomon, you know that he was wise, but not always. When He loved and followed God’s Word, he lived wisely; when he lived by his own wits, he was confused and misled. The book of Ecclesiastes chronicles Solomon’s quixotic journey from God’s truth to his futile attempts to understand life by natural intellect and observation, finally returning to God’s ways and wisdom. Solomon wrote, “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT.
In the Book of Proverbs, his collection of Godly wisdom, Solomon wrote, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” See Proverbs 3:5-12 NKJV. So few words, uncomplicated and simple, explain how life works. Be advised; Jeremiah the prophet, wrote, “O Lord, I know the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV
I have observed a direct correlation between God’s direction and protection. When God directs your life, God protects your life. There is protection from my errors and misjudgments – from both the frailty of my flesh and inadequate knowledge – when I purposely seek to be directed by God’s Word (John 17:17 NIV), and guided by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13 NIV). “I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk yours steps will not be hindered, and when you run you will not stumble.” Proverbs 4:11-12 NKJV.
According to Solomon, this process is not complicated. In every aspect of your life, seek and submit to God’s will and wisdom first. A good result is assured; God will not only guide you upon the right path, He will direct your steps wisely on those paths. “The steps (and stops, I might suggest) of the Godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NLT. See Psalm 91:11-12 NASB.
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV. Here is my conclusion: “As for God, His way is perfect.” Psalm 18:30 NKJV.
My prayer for you today is that you follow faithfully the God who leads you righteously.