TRUSTING GOD FOR DIRECTION
5 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, AND HE WILL DIRECT [make smooth or straight] YOUR PATHS."
Proverbs 3:5,6 (NKJV)
When the Bible says we should not lean on our own understanding, it does mean we should allow God to influence our thoughts
God has given the ability to think to mankind and He expects us to use it well or wisely. However, the problem comes when you have an inflated view of yourself (Romans 12:3).
Everything God has given mankind is for our benefits, if we use it in line with, or according to, the instructions and directions of His.
Reasoning and thinking abilities are meant to help you, but not to put God aside: "THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT ITS END IS THE WAY OF DEATH" (Proverbs 14:12).
What trusting in God implies:
• It does mean whoever is seeking direction should go to God in prayer, asking for His guidance and insight about the issue at hand (Proverbs 3:5,6; 1 Corinthians 3:18-20).
• After you might have prayed for guidance, God would want you to be sensitive, be at alert in your heart.
He would take over your thought and direct it the way He wants; because you have prayed and submitted it to Him: "THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD, LIKE THE RIVERS [channels] OF WATER; HE TURNS IT WHEREVER HE WISHES" (Proverbs 21:1).
• You may devise things in your heart that you wanted to happen, however, you should not be rigid about those things you have devised; If you are truly submissive to Him: "A MAN'S HEART PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS" (Proverbs 16:9).
You pray before you devise or think up whatever the plan, and also pray after you have devised it.
Those who have consecrated their lives and have had unwavering commitments and submissions would be flexible in whatever plan they have made.
In actual fact, believers are not expected to come to God with the lists of what they wanted Him to do for them; rather, they should come to Him with a heart to receive direction and know what God has in plan for them.
Even if you have conceived what you wanted to do, you still need to tell God; in order to know whether what you have conceived is in line with His plans for you.
If you embarked on a project that was not approved by God, you would discover that the accomplishment of it is with toiling—if at all you are able to accomplish it!
Prayer after you have devised, or did think up, your plans, is necessary; because man is liable to errors or mistakes—only God is infallible.
God respects our choices, however, He would not subscribe to any choice of yours that is not in agreement with His plans and purposes for your life.
Thus, in order to make right choices in life, you have to be versed in the knowledge of the Word of God, the Bible.
If you are versed in the knowledge of the Word of God, and you have been taught and trained by Him, God, in the things He has permitted you to go through in life; He would then make you trustworthy (1 Corinthians 8:25).
You may be given the Grace and privilege to make decision on vital issues of life, because you are considered mature and have known His ways and thoughts. Apostle Paul has this to say: "NOW CONCERNING VIRGINS: I HAVE NO COMMANDMENT FROM THE LORD; YET I GIVE JUDGEMENT AS ONE WHOM THE LORD IN HIS MERCY HAS MADE TRUSTWORTHY" (1 Corinthians 7:25).
There are gray areas which the Bible is silent on, which we wish the Bible is more explicit—and on such areas you may have not received any instruction from the Holy Spirit—you would be expected to do as the occasion demands, for God is with you (1 Samuel 10:7).
In other words, the thought of what to do would be put in your heart when you find yourself in such situations or circumstances: "WHEN THESE SIGNS COME TO YOU, DO FOR YOURSELF WHATEVER THE SITUATION REQUIRES, FOR GOD IS WITH YOU (1 Samuel 10:7 Amps).
"WHEN these signs come over you, JUST DO WHATEVER YOU FEEL LIKE DOING, BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU."
1 Samuel 10:7 (Complete Jewish Bible)
"WHEN these signs have happened to you, DO WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU."
1 Samuel 10:7 (The Holman Christian Standard Bible)
"NOW when these signs meet you, DO WHATEVER YOU SEE FIT TO DO, FOR GOD IS WITH YOU."
1 Samuel 10:7 (New Revised Standard Version)
That was what Paul did in 1 Corinthians 7:5, the passage of the Bible quoted above.
What God would want, or not, in certain situations and conditions are known to you through the wisdom given to you at the moment, and the experience you have gained or acquired in your walk with God.
In that same chapter: 1 Corinthians 7:10, Apostle Paul said: "NOW TO THE MARRIED I COMMAND, YET NOT I BUT THE LORD . . . . "
In verse 12 of the chapter: "BUT TO THE REST I, NOT THE LORD SAY . . . . "
Apostle Paul was able to tell us what the Lord Himself said, and what he, as His representative, is saying on the matter.
God permitted him, Paul, to do that because He has made him trustworthy (1 Corinthians 7:25).
Paul has walked with God, known God's mind on certain things; what God would want or approve in such a situation—thus he was permitted to make some decisions.
Note:
• What I have shared above, in this part of the teaching, is for mature believers; those who have walked with God and live a consecrated life over the years.
• God would not make a believer who is still carnal trustworthy!
• He would not want or allow a young and inexperienced believer to make a vital decision of life alone without any supervision, because such is not mature yet.
Many have made wrong choices in life because their knowledge of the Word of God is shallow.
You must submit whatever choice of yours to God for an approval.
If you pray with a sincere heart, wanting to know God's mind on a particular issue—not in a situation where you idolized your plan—He would definitely help you and give you a direction.
If God could see in your heart that you wanted His Way and Will, He will help you—give you the direction needed!
You may be wrong in your head, that is, in your mind—whilst making the plan—but your heart is right and God could see that you wanted His leading; He would help you.
The point being made is:
• If your heart is right, God would have mercy on you and lead you aright; even If you had earlier made a wrong decision and took a wrong step, or approach, on the matter.
• If you put your trust in God and lean not on your own understanding, He will surely guide you (Proverbs 3:5,6).
12 AND I THANK CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD WHO HAS ENABLED ME, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 ALTHOUGH I WAS FORMERLY A BLASPHEMER, A PERSECUTOR, AND AN INSOLENT MAN; BUT I OBTAINED MERCY BECAUSE I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF."
1 Timothy 1:12,13 (NKJV)
You will not fail in Jesus' name. Peace!