Provérbios 3

Provérbios 3

Clarke - “It is on GOD, not on thyself, that thou art commanded to depend. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool…Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall of Adam. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavour to live independently of God.” Do no lean in the Septuagint is translated with epairo which means lifting up and so speaks of exalting oneself, to be presumptuous, putting on airs. That is what we do when we lean on our own understanding rather than humbling ourselves and leaning on God's perfect understanding! This is not a good trade! Lean on (rely on, trust) (08172)(sha'an primarily means to lean on something (Saul on his sword = 2Sa 1:6) or someone (2Ki 5:16, 7:2, 17), to rest on (resting one's full weight on so to speak), to support oneself (Jdg 16:26), figuratively to trust (2Chr 13:18, Job 8:15, other versions render rely), to rest (Ge 18:4). Rely on got King Asa in trouble! (2 Chr 16:7 - twice). Micah 3:11 = "lean on the LORD" (NET = "claim to trust"). In Isa 30:12, Isa 31:1, Isa 50:10 we see "trust in" (batach) paralleled with "relied on" (sha'an) Sha'an is translated as "steadfast" in Isa 26:3. Gilbrant - The meaning of the verb shāʿan is "to lean on" something or someone. Saul leaned on his spear (2 Sam. 1:6). Samson leaned against the pillar (Judg. 16:26). This meaning led to the common usage of this verb as a figurative idea of "relying on" someone for help. Kings had a close aid or officer to "lean on" or accompany them and give advice, help and even protection (2 Ki. 5:18; 7:2, 17). The idea of having a sense of security and support is found in Job 24:23. A person can trust in his house (8:15). Abraham told the three angels to rest or recline under the tree, using this verb (Gen. 18:4). A graphic picture of leaning on someone for help who is the wrong source is Judah trusting in and leaning on Egypt like a staff and having it break like a reed and hurt them (Ezek. 29:7). Asa quit looking to or "leaning on" the Lord for help against enemies as he used to do and so was rebuked and punished (2 Chr. 14:11; 16:7f). Isaiah rebuked the people for rejecting God's Word and depending on oppression and deceit (Isa. 30:12), and for depending on horses and chariots instead of seeking the Lord (31:1). Micah 3:11 says the leaders were falsely ministering out of greed. They claimed that they leaned on the Lord and assumed that they were secure from enemy attack because God was in Judah. Often, this verb is used in parallel with the more common verb for "trusting," batach. The most well-known verse which uses both verbs is Prov. 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding." (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) NET NOTE on lean - Heb “do not lean.” The verb שָׁעַן (sha’an, “to lean; to rely”) is used in (1) literal physical sense of leaning upon something for support and (2) figurative sense of relying upon someone or something for help or protection (BDB 1043 s.v.). Here it functions figuratively (hypocatastasis: implied comparison); relying on one’s own understanding is compared to leaning on something that is unreliable for support (e.g., Isa 10:20). POSB - We have to make a choice: we can follow our own understanding or trust in a God who is greater than our understanding. What we have to recognize is that our understanding is not trustworthy. (1) Human understanding is darkened by our nature of sin, spiritual blindness, and hard hearts. (Ep.4:18). (2) Human understanding is limited. God’s understanding is far higher. (Ro 11:33-34, Is.55:8-9). (3) Human understanding is often contrary to God’s wisdom. Common sense is good, but God’s ways do not always parallel the common sense of human beings. (1 Co.1:25-29). Higgins on our own understanding - Here is underlined the danger of using mental faculties without the Lord. God has given us intelligence and expects it to be used. But it is always linked with the desire to please God and to be yielded to His direction. Are we to jettison our intelligence? Rather we are to yield it to be enlightened by His wisdom. "One is a fool to rely on his thimble of knowledge before its (wisdom's) vast ocean, or on his own understanding, which is often governed by irrational urges that he cannot control" (B. Waltke). (What the Bible Teaches) Understanding (0998)(binah) means "understanding, insight, discernment, i.e., a good sense or wisdom to respond properly to the LORD and his Torah (Dt 4:6), (2) understand, i.e., to be given a revelation as well as its meaning (Da 10:1); (3) understand, i.e., skillfully react to life situations (1Ch 12:32." Binah "carries strong moral and religious connotations. In Job 28:28, the act of turning away from evil was said to be understanding and was based on a prior proper discernment of what was evil. A lack of this kind of understanding was morally culpable and resulted in sin and even drove away God’s compassion for persons who did not have it (Isa. 27:11). Happily, understanding as a moral or religious entity can be acquired (Pr 4:5, 7) and even increased (Isa. 29:24) by seeking after it diligently. The understanding that God desires has a cognitive dimension, therefore, as further illustrated when the author of Proverbs spoke of words of “understanding” (Pr 1:2). The understanding and discernment that is the object of all knowing is the knowledge of the Holy One (Pr 9:10). Understanding is to mark God’s people. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that by means of understanding, God made all His created order (cf. Ps. 136:5). God has graciously endowed human beings with the ability of understanding and comprehension, but this faculty is not infallible, and, therefore, we are to ask God for guidance at all times (Pr 3:5). Our own ability of understanding should, however, function to give us discernment, for instance, in showing a proper attitude toward seeking the riches of this world (Pr 23:4). Our understanding is also the ability that enables us to understand languages (Isa. 33:19), literature, visions, and dreams (Da 1:20-note). It is the ability that decodes the symbols of communication for us. The writer of Proverbs personifies understanding along with wisdom in the famous wisdom chapter of Proverbs (Pr 2:3; 8:14)." (Complete Word Study Dictionary) NET NOTE on understanding - Heb “your understanding.” The term בִּינָה (binah, “understanding”) is used elsewhere in this book of insight given by God from the instructions in Proverbs (Prov 2:3; 7:4; 8:14; 9:6, 10; 23:23). Here it refers to inherent human understanding that functions in relative ignorance unless supplemented by divine wisdom (Job 28:12–28; 39:26). The reflexive pronoun “own” is supplied in the translation to clarify this point. It is dangerous for a person to rely upon mere human wisdom (Prov 14:12; 16:25). Binah in Proverbs - Prov. 1:2; Prov. 2:3; Prov. 3:5; Prov. 4:1; Prov. 4:5; Prov. 4:7; Prov. 7:4; Prov. 8:14; Prov. 9:6; Prov. 9:10; Prov. 16:16; Prov. 23:4; Prov. 23:23; Prov. 30:2 Leaning On — the Everlasting Arms (Click title to play tune sung in movie "True Grit") What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms. CHORUS Leaning, leaning, Safe & secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms. Text: Elisha A. Hoffman Music: Anthony J. Showalter William Arnot - FAITH is not fear, and fear is not faith. The terrors of the Lord beaming in upon the conscience, using guilt as fuel for the flame of a premature torment, do not constitute conversion. Christianity is not a dark ground, with here and there a quivering streak of light thrown in; blessed hope is the basis of it all. Many dark spots deface it, at the best; but the ground is a bright ground. It is a positive, and not a negative thing. It has many diseases and pains, but it is in its nature a life, and not a death. It flies to God, not from him. It is not a slave’s struggle to escape from divine vengeance: it is a dear child’s confidence in a Father’s love. Christ is the way; but it is unto the Father that the prodigal returns. The only method of reconciliation is the looking unto Jesus, and looking on until confiding faith spring up; but the religious act of a soul saved is a trust in God. This is an unseen thing, and it is misunderstood by those who look toward it from without. The reason why those who are wedded to their pleasures count religion to be dull and painful seems to be this:—they see religious people really renouncing the pleasures of sin and sense: they know, they feel what that renunciation would be to themselves; but they do not know, they cannot conceive the consolation which the peace of God gives even now to a human heart. They see what a religious man lets go; but they do not see in that other region the worth of the equivalent which a religious man gets; for it is spiritually discerned, and they are not spiritual. In their conception Religion is a grim tyrant, who snatches every delight from the grasp of a youth, and gives him nothing in return. The servant of the man of God sees on the one side an host of enemies pressing round, and on the other side no help at hand. “Alas, my master!” he cried, “how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:16, 17). “Fear not,” said Elisha; but it was not until the young man’s eyes were opened to see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha that he could be confident, or even composed. We need the same re-creating Spirit to open the blind eyes of the carnal, ere they can see that the joys which God in grace gives are more than the pleasures of sin, which his presence drives away. The green apple does not like to be twisted and torn from the tree; but the ripened fruit, that has no more need for the root’s sap, drops easily off. Trust in the Lord, when a soul attains it, loosens every other bond, and makes it easy to let go all which the world gives. When you feel your footing firm in the peace of God, you will not be afraid though the earth should sink away from beneath you. Trust is natural to the creature, although trust in the Lord be against the grain to the guilty. It is our nature to be dependent: it is our instinct to lean. In regard to the unseen, man has an innate consciousness of his own frailty, and in general it is not difficult to persuade him to lean on something beyond himself. Ever since sin began, gods many and lords many have invited men’s confidence, and offered them aid. It is easy to persuade Papists to lean on priests and saints, on old rags and painted pictures—on any idol; but it is hard to get a Protestant really to trust in the living God. It is a common remark that Papists have more devotion in their way than we have in ours. The fact is obvious: the reason of it is not always seen. Popery sails with the stream when it bids men trust, for this falls in with a tendency of nature; but it puts forward to receive the confiding soul a dead idol, whose presence is no rebuke to indulged sin. Among Papists you will find real devotion in all who are conscious of nature’s weakness, and willing to trust; but among Protestants you can find real devotion only in those who are prepared to crucify the flesh—who, at enmity with their own sins, bound forward to meet the offered embrace of “our God,” and so plunge their bosom lusts into “a consuming fire.” “With all thine heart.” God complains as much of a divided allegiance as of none. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. In cleaving to Christ the effort to reserve a little spoils all. It endangers ultimate safety, and destroys present peace. The soul should grow into Christ, as grows the branch on the vine; but the reserved part is dead matter lying between the two lives, preventing them from coalescing into one. The somewhat which the soul refuses to surrender sticks in between, so that you cannot have your life hid in Christ; Christ cannot live in you. Your hope cannot find way into his heart, his peace cannot flow into yours. “Except ye be converted and become as a little child, ye cannot enter into the kingdom.” “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Observe the universality of the command. There is no hardship in this; the commandment is holy and just and good. If we keep back any of the conditions, we lose all the promised return. This injunction is aimed, not at the speculative atheism which denies that there is a God, but at the much more common practical ungodliness which keeps Him at a distance from human affairs. Few will refuse to acknowledge a superintending Providence at certain times, and in certain operations that are counted great. If the commandment had been, “Acknowledge God in the uncertain and difficult ways of life,” it would have met with a more ready compliance. To uphold the world and direct its movements, to appoint the birth and the death of men, to provide redemption from sin, and open the way into glory—in these grand and all-comprehensive operations men would be content to acknowledge God, provided they were allowed to retain all minor matters under their own management. They will treat God as subjects treat a king, but not as a wife treats her husband. The large, and the formal, and the public, they will submit to his decision; but the little, and close, and kindly, they will keep to themselves. Let him compass you about, as the atmosphere embraces the earth, going into every interstice, and taking the measure of every movement. “Trust in the Lord at all times; pour ye out your hearts before him.” The command is encouraging as well as reproving. It is not merely the promise that is encouraging, but also the command which precedes it. Does God claim to be acknowledged in all my ways? May I trouble the Master about everything, great or small, that troubles me? May I lay before the Almighty Ruler every care of my heart, every step of my path? Yes, everything. The great and glorious sun shines down from heaven upon the daisy; and the feeble daisy sweetly opens its breast, and looks up from earth upon the sun. God is the maker of them both; both equally enjoy His care, and equally speak His praise. The genuine spirit of adoption may be best observed in little things. The distant and unconfiding will come on occasion of state formalities to the sovereign; but the dear child will leap forward with everything. The Queen of England is the mother of a family. At one time her ministers of state come gravely into her presence to converse on the policy of nations: at another her infant runs into her arms for protection, frightened at the buzzing of a fly. Will she love less this last appeal, because it is a little thing? We have had fathers of our flesh to whom we came confidingly with our minutest ailments: How much more should we bring all our ways to the Father of our spirits, and live by simple faith on Him? What to Do When You Do Not Know What to Do Proverbs 3:5, 6 Introduction: We are so often faced with things for which we are not really equipped. Many problems leave us fractured. The pressures of life mount up, and we lose our orientation. We so often hear, ?I do not know what to do.? What should you do when you do not know what to do? Here are ten suggestions ? I. Walk Closely With the Lord A. Maintaining daily fellowship with Him will help in time of need B. Make a regular practice of turning everything over to Him II. Take the Matter to Him in Prayer A. Do not ever do anything without His guidance B. Do not fail to do anything He shows you to do III. Don?t Try to Figure Things Out on Your Own ? ?Lean Not on Your Own Understanding? A. Unaided reason will always lead to more problems B. It is not wrong to use your reason 1. So long as it is not your reason alone 2. Reason must be submitted to the will of God IV. Submit Yourself and the Situation to His Will A. Be willing no matter what His will may be. ?If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine? (John 7:17) B. Do not try to predetermine or ?rubber-stamp? His will V. Clearly Express Your Problem A. Put it in writing 1. Helps to clarify it 2. We sometimes find answers while stating the problem B. Be sure you really have a problem 1. Sometimes our only problem is worry 2. Some problems are not worth having VI. Search for Bible Principles A. If there is no direct teaching available B. Try to find principles that apply 1. Why it is important to express the problem clearly 2. There are principles for every situation VII. Be Sure There Is No Sin or Disobedience Involved A. ?If I regard iniquity in my heart ? ? (Psalm 66:18) B. Sin blocks 1. Not doing what we know we should while seeking to know more 2. Broken fellowship prevents answers C. Sometimes our problem is that we know the answer, but we just will not act on it VIII. Seek Godly Counsel A. Cautions 1. Do not go to those you know will agree with you 2. Do not seek too many B. Why it helps 1. Others may have been through the same thing 2. The uninvolved see more clearly IX. Do Not Act Until You Have to or Until You Know What to Do A. Often we do not have answers because we do not need them yet B. Many situations care for themselves or provide their own answers X. Expect God to Give You Direction A. Move on ? do not let it stop you B. This verse is a promise Conclusion: Here?s what to do when you do not know what to do. These steps can help you do something about the tough situations and keep you going until you find the solutions God has for you. Wood, C. R. Sermon Outlines on the Book of Proverbs God’s Direction Read: Proverbs 3:1–8 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 45–46; 1 Thessalonians 3 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. —nkjv Proverbs 3:6 A century ago, 41-year-old Oswald Chambers arrived in Egypt to serve as a YMCA chaplain to British Commonwealth troops during World War I. He was assigned to a camp at Zeitoun, six miles north of Cairo. On his first night there, October 27, 1915, Chambers wrote in his diary, “This [area] is absolutely desert in the very heart of the troops and a glorious opportunity for men. It is all immensely unlike anything I have been used to, and I am watching with interest the new things God will do and engineer.” Chambers believed and practiced the words of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lordwith all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6 nkjv). Wherever God puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him. This is both a comfort and a challenge. There is security in knowing that the Lord will lead us each day, but we must not become so attached to our plans that we resist God’s redirection or His timing. “We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for,” said Chambers. “God engineers everything. Wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.” Lord, may I love and serve You with all my heart where You have placed me today. Read more of Oswald Chambers’ work at utmost.org As we trust in God, He directs our steps. By David C. McCasland Directions From Above Read: Proverbs 3:1-6 Trust in the Lord . . . ; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. —Proverbs 3:5-6 During a visit to Chicago, I stayed on the 25th floor of a downtown hotel. As I gazed out the window, I was fascinated by the maze of cars flowing four lanes abreast in opposite directions. One motorist faced an emergency. He had engine trouble and was stalled in the middle of all that traffic. From my vantage point I could see for blocks. I watched several drivers switch into the same lane as the stalled auto, unaware of what was ahead. Thinking they were gaining time, these motorists were actually crossing over into a lane that would only spell greater delay. As we travel along life’s road, we do much the same as those misguided drivers. With our limited foresight we select the route that seems best—only to find that the temporary advance has led us into a course filled with delay and heartache. But how reassuring that we can look to One who is above everything, who knows the end from the beginning! This is why the writer of Proverbs could say, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). When the Lord indicates a “stop” or a “change of lanes” or a “wait,” we should gladly obey. Yes, look for direction from above. He leadeth me! O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. —Gilmore The best way to know God's will is to say "I will" to God. Advice from My Father Read: Proverbs 3:1–7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 After being laid off from an editorial job, I prayed, asking for God to help me find a new one. But when weeks went by and nothing came of my attempts at networking and filling out applications, I began to pout. “Don’t You know how important it is that I have a job?” I asked God, my arms folded in protest at my seemingly unanswered prayer. When I talked to my father, who had often reminded me about believing God’s promises, about my job situation, he said, “I want you to get to the point where you trust what God says.” My father’s advice reminds me of Proverbs 3, which includes wise advice from a parent to a beloved child. This familiar passage was especially applicable to my situation: “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). To “make . . . paths straight” means God will guide us toward His goals for our growth. His ultimate goal is that I become more like Him. This does not mean that the paths He chooses will be easy. But I can choose to trust that His direction and timing are ultimately for my good. Are you waiting on God for an answer? Choose to draw near to Him and trust that He will guide you. Lord, thank You for guiding and caring for us every step of the way. Help us to trust in You daily. Your Father in heaven knows what’s best for you. By Linda Washington The Forgotten Man Read: Matthew 1:18-25 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. —Proverbs 3:5 Amid all the Christmas activities, one man is often forgotten. No, I don’t mean the person whose birthday we’re celebrating. Although we often fail to give Jesus first place as He deserves, we don’t usually forget Him. I’m talking about Joseph—the man God trusted so much that He placed His Son in his home to love and nurture. What a responsibility! Joseph truly is the forgotten man in the Christmas story. Yet his task was an important component of God’s incredible plan. As we read the story of the birth of Jesus, we find that Joseph was just, righteous, merciful, protective, and courageous. But most of all—he was obedient. When the angel told him to take Mary as his wife, he obeyed (Matt. 1:24). And when the angel told him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, he did (2:13-14). Just as Mary was carefully chosen to bear the Son of God, Joseph was deliberately chosen to provide for his young wife and the Christ-child. And trusting God, Joseph followed through on everything God asked him to do. What is God asking of you today? Are you willing to commit yourself to do whatever He wants you to do? We can learn much about obedience from Joseph, the forgotten man of Christmas. It matters not the path on earth My feet are made to trod; It only matters how I live: Obedient to God. —Clark The proof of our love for God is our obedience to the commands of God. Lost In The Fog Read: Proverbs 3:1-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. —Proverbs 3:5 The fog was as thick as pea soup. Visibility was limited to a few feet, and the lake was as smooth as glass. The only sound to break the silence was the laughing of a loon across the lake. I rowed for an hour around the shore, trying to catch fish in different areas, but the fish weren’t biting! So I decided to go back to my cabin for a cup of coffee. I was at the mouth of a small inlet, which I knew was directly across the lake from the cottage. So I set out across the lake on a straight course (I thought) toward the dock. The minutes went by—and after an hour I was surprised when I arrived back at the mouth of the little stream from which I started. I had been going in a circle in the fog. I was so sure I knew where I was going, but after an hour I had gotten nowhere! If I had only taken my compass—instead of relying on my own sense of direction. Proverbs 3:5 comes to mind: “Lean not on your own understanding.” Without the Lord as your guide through the fog of life, and His Word as your compass, you will wander aimlessly. So be sure to make Proverbs 3:6 your lifelong motto: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” My Lord is ever with me Along life's busy way; I'll trust in Him completely For guidance day by day. —Anon. To avoid going wrong, follow God's leading. O God, Why? Read: Job 1:1-22 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. —Proverbs 3:5 Several years ago, the growing season had been unusually good in eastern Michigan. Farmers were elated at the thought of their potential profits. Then, just before harvest, the rains came—and stayed. Potatoes rotted in the ground; beans molded in their pods. The entire harvest season remained wet. Anticipation of a record yield quickly faded. One discouraged farmer was quoted as saying, “You ask yourself, ‘Why? What have we done wrong?'” People have always asked why when faced with reversal and hardship. Their question is significant because it reflects the fact that nothing happens by chance. God is in control. Neither Satan nor man can go any further than is allowed by the Almighty. The story of Job, however, makes it clear that we should not become too preoccupied with the question why. God’s reasons are often kept to Himself. He may hold them high above our understanding and far beyond our natural field of vision in order to develop our faith. Our response to trouble should be like that of Job at the beginning and at the end of his problems (Job 2:10; 42:1-6). Obediently trust God in your circumstances—even when you can’t understand what He’s doing. When through life's darkened maze I go And troubles overwhelm my soul, O grant me, Lord, Your grace to know That You are surely in control. " —DJD When God conceals His purposes, He consoles with His promises. Your Way, Not Mine Read: Luke 22:39–46 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 Kamil and Joelle were devastated when their eight-year-old daughter Rima was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. The disease led to meningitis and a stroke, and Rima lapsed into a coma. The hospital medical team counseled her parents to make arrangements for Rima’s funeral, giving her less than a one percent chance of survival. Kamil and Joelle fasted and prayed for a miracle. “As we pray,” Kamil said, “we need to trust God no matter what. And pray like Jesus—not my way, Father, but Yours.” “But I want so much for God to heal her!” Joelle answered honestly. “Yes! And we should ask!” Kamil responded. “But it honors God when we give ourselves to Him even when it’s hard, because that’s what Jesus did.” Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). By praying “take this cup,” Jesus asked not to go to the cross; but He submitted to the Father out of love. Surrendering our desires to God isn’t easy, and His wisdom can be difficult to understand in challenging moments. Kamil and Joelle’s prayers were answered in a remarkable way—Rima is a healthy fifteen year old today. Jesus understands every struggle. Even when, for our sake, His request was not answered, He showed us how to trust our God in every need. I want to be “all in” for You, Father. I trust in Your unfailing love and give myself to You as Your servant today. God always deserves our commitment and praise. By James Banks Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. KJV Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. In. Proverbs 16:3; 23:17. 1 Sa. 23:4, 11, 12; 30:8. 1 Chr 28:9. Ezr. 7:27; 8:22, 23. Ne. 1:11; 2:4. 1 Co. 10:31. 2 Co. 8:16. Phi. 4:6. Col. 3:17, 23. and. Proverbs 16:9. Ps. 25:8, 9; 32:8. Is. 30:21; 48:17. Je. 10:23. Ja. 1:5. KNOWING GOD THE KEY TO STRAIGHT PATHS Note the words in all - this speaks of total commitment on our part. As Higgins explains "God is to have sovereign control over a believer's life. That means in the major decisions of life as well as in the principles which control day to day living. The knowledge of God comes through His Word. As I learn Him, I will know what pleases Him. An illustration may be helpful here. As two people come to know each other better, husband and wife, or two close friends, they instinctively know what will please the other. Their nearness has afforded them a vantage point from which to learn the heart of the other. In a similar manner, as we know intimacy with the Lord, we will know what brings His heart pleasure." (What the Bible Teaches)