# 444 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 16 (2). Guidance – going God’s way!  

There is a particular car advertisement that uses the slogan, “Go your own way!” Basically, suggesting that once you have paid the Australian $30-80,000 for the vehicle of your choice, you’re on your own to go wherever you want. No limits!

Hardly very realistic but sounds appealing to our basically self-centred and so-called “freedom-loving” culture.

But let’s bring in an important reality here, and that is, GOD!. Not that he is here to “spoil the party”, so to speak, but to bring us back to what life is really all about, and that is about a right relationship with him, our Creator, and then a right relationship with those around us (in Jesus’ words: “loving our neighbour”).

Involved in this right relationship with Him, is knowing what His plan is for our lives and acting upon that knowledge in the way we live. In other words, it is not about going our own way, but rather going God’s way, and that is the only true way of blessing. Let’s see what Proverbs 16 has to say on this subject.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. (16:1 NLT)

As Goldsworthy reminds us, “God created us in his own image and made us responsible, reasoning beings. This points to the ongoing tension in experience between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of mankind. Wisdom is especially mindful of the task we have, to think through issues, make decisions and then bear the responsibility for the outcome.  This proverb reminds us that we must make well-considered plans while all the time [acknowledging that] God is in control of all that happens.” (# 53)

Proverbs 16 continues:

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the Lord.

“There is a limit to human wisdom even in understanding our own motives. God knows the secrets of our hearts… in a way we never can.” (# 53)

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.

“To commit our deeds to him means that we allow God’s word [i.e., the Bible] to be the supreme guide and we apply his revelation to our plans. When we do this our efforts are not in vain.” (# 53)

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.

A similar verse is: You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)

In my first years as a new Christian, I was still learning to trust God. At times I found myself being reluctant to seek God’s guidance because I wasn’t sure if what He then said would be what I would like to do. I was even slightly afraid that what he showed me would be too hard for me. As the years have passed, I have realized that God is good, all powerful and can be trusted whatever he asks of me. We are not to be afraid of God, but we are (as Proverbs often reminds us) to “fear God.”

Now, many years later, by the grace of God, the following Proverbs seems applicable to me:

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
    it is attained in the way of righteousness [by following Jesus where He has led and gaining His righteousness – Romans 3:22].

On the other hand, Proverbs gives us a very important warning against “going our own way”:  

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.

So, may we plan, not to go our own way, but rather, to plan (with God’s help) to walk in the way of righteousness, particularly considering the alternative in verse 25 above! So:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)