God's Way Is Best

Scriptural Text: Proverbs 3:6

God's Way Is Best

An Arab Proverb

(1) He that knows not and knows not that he knows not; He is a fool—shun him!

(2) He that knows not and knows that he knows not; He is simple—teach him!

(3) He that knows and knows not that he knows; He is asleep—wake him!

(4) He that knows and knows that he knows; He is a wise man—follow him!

—Gospel Herald

 Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times, (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 1612.

However on the other hand,

An Arabian Proverb

• If one person calls you an ass or a donkey, pay no attention to him. But if five people call you one, go out and buy yourself a saddle.

 Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes, electronic ed., (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000), 165.

I took this quote from an article (DTC 138) of A.W. Tozer

“Instead of being supremely attached to God and the good of his kingdom, men are by nature “lovers of their own selves.” ..

Hence there is a controversy between man and his Maker. God requires men to regard His glory as the great object of their affections, and the ultimate end of their conduct. DTC138"

Only God knows the future. We live in uncertain and trouble times. Some may guess, or predict what tomorrow holds in part, but God knows all of what the tomorrow holds. Only He has the answer for our future.

It is written in,

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) 1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self,...

lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

As with Isaiah times, the children of Israel was assured that is not so absorbed with the future that He forgets the present. God swears an oath,

“Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand” (Isa 14:24)

People need guidance from God about how they should make up their minds on difficult issues. God gives them this through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, individuals, groups and other external means.

Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God (Pr 3:5–6, See also Ps 23:1–3; Ps 25:4–5; Ps 25:8–9; Ps 25:12; Pr 9:10 )

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Wisdom involves making right moral decisions; Mt 6:31–33

Benefits of wisdom (Prov. 2–3).The person who gains wisdom wins many benefits. Among those mentioned are:

deliverance from the ways of wicked men (2:12), deliverance from the adulteress (v. 16),

a long life (v. 21), a good name and prosperity (3:2), health (v. 8),

wealth (vv. 9–10), safety (v. 22), grace (v. 34), and honor (v. 35).

These chapters make it very clear that wisdom is moral in nature, for they specify some of the choices that wisdom will lead a person to make.

While situations may arise in which it seems expedient to make a different kind of choice, the wise person will:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

In Chapter Three the contents we find is: The power of true wisdom to make men both blessed and a blessing.

God is at work in all that happens to believers, whether to warn them, to draw them to himself or to do them good.

God has a purpose in all the experiences that believers have in life (Ro 8:28; Eph 1:11, See also Ge 21:22; Ge 28:16; Ge 39:20–21; Ge 45:5–8; 1 Sa 2:6–9; 1 Ch 29:11–12; Job 42:10–13; Ps 75:6–7; Ac 17:28; 1 Pe 4:12)

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 1:11 (ESV) — 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

It is vital to accept God’s plan for your life. God’s plan give you a lasting purpose for your life. Here is four reasons why God’s way is the best way:

You need to know God’s will because only God knows the future.(Proverbs 27:1, Isaiah 46:9-10)

Proverbs 27:1 (ESV) 1Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Isaiah 46:9–10 (ESV) 9remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

You need to accept God’s will because only God knows what is best for you. ( Jer. 10:23, Jer. 33:3)

It will be very difficult to recognize God’s will or guidance if you looking for God’s blessing on your own plans.

Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV) 23I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV) 3Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

You need to know God’s will because God has a plan of blessing just for you(Eph 2:10)

Paul taught,

“We are God’s workmanship[handiwork], created in Christ unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10)

You need to know the will of God because God command us to know and obey His will! (Eph 5:17, Eph 6:6, Isa 1:19)

Ephesians 5:17 (ESV) 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 6:6 (ESV) 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Isaiah 1:19 (ESV) 19If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Acknowledge God daily in all you do: He will guide you and show you the way (v. 6).

This is what God does for the people who trust in Him—who lean wholly upon Him.

He will go ahead of us and smooth the road.

He will remove all the obstacles in our way so we can reach the destination He intends for us.

Note: This does not mean, however, that there will be no difficulties, interruptions, or deterrents along the way.

It means that God will be with us and help us to rise above everything in our path that threatens to trip us up or throw us off course.

We, in turn, have to put ourselves in His hands. We have to trust and lean upon Him wholly.

God's Way Is Best