The Way of Man is not in Himself

The Way of Man is not in Himself

The way of man is not in himself (Jer 10:23-24 NKJV) “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. {24} O LORD, correct me, but with justice; Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing.”

What does the Bible say about guidance?

We are told to ask for the old paths.   (Jer 6:16 NKJV) Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

The “Old Paths” are old fashioned!  (2 Pet 3:1-4 NKJV) Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), {2} that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

The “Old Paths” are old fashioned!  (2 Pet 3:1-4 NKJV) {3} knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, {4} and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

Or stated differently, they are out of date.  (1 John 2:24-26 NKJV) Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. {25} And this is the promise that He has promised us; eternal life. {26} These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

We don’t do things that way any more.

We tend to forget, Where the good way is.

It is a way of being at peace with God.  (Jer 6:16 NKJV) But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

It provides peace and security for all.

Wives are provided for by husbands who love them and care for them.  (1 Tim 5:8 NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Children are provided for and have guidance for daily living.  (Eph 6:4 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Where do we find God’s guidance?

It comes from God’s word.  (Psa 119:101-107 NKJV) I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. {102} I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. {103} How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! {104} Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

It comes from God’s word.  (Psa 119:101-107 NKJV) {105} Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. {106} I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. {107} I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. 

It comes from asking for His guidance.   (Prov 16:25 NKJV) There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Some fail to ask for God’s guidance.  (James 4:1-4 NKJV) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? {2} You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Some fail to ask for God’s guidance.  (James 4:1-4 NKJV) {3} You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. {4} Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

We need to understand that God is God.   (Psa 100:3 NKJV) Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Do You Know the Way?

Jesus said He is the Way.  (John 14:1-6 NKJV) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. {2} "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Jesus said He is the Way. (John 14:1-6 NKJV) {4} "And where I go you know, and the way you know." {5} Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" {6} Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

It is a difficult way.  (Mat 7:13-14 NKJV) "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. {14} "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

If anyone lacks wisdom, he needs to ask. (James 1:5-8 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. {6} But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. {7} For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; {8} he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Conclusion Are you on the right way? Are you reading the map – God’s word? Are you asking for God’s guidance? Is there something you need to make right in a public way?