Highway Of Holiness Truth 20

IT IS NOT IN MAN TO DIRECT HIS STEPS

TEXT: -- "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: IT IS NOT IN MAN THAT WALKETH TO DIRECT HIS STEPS" (Jeremiah 10:23).

It is NOT IN MAN to direct his own steps.  This is particularly true regarding unregenerate men who have not the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them.  However, even regenerate and sanctified Christians, apart from Christ, DO NOT HAVE IT IN THEMSELVES HUMANLY TO DIRECT THEIR STEPS!  Without the inspired direction of the Holy Spirit not even the most godly saints can correctly direct their steps.

Illustrating how the Natural Man doesn't have it in himself to direct his steps, we read in Acts 27:10-11 (during Paul's voyage to Rome) how Paul thus warned the owner of the ship and others, saying, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."  However, "the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul."  You know "the rest of the story."

Illustrating how sanctified men don't have it in themselves to direct their steps we read in Acts 16:7, how when Paul and Silas "were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not" (Acts 16:7).

While a truly sanctified Christian CAN often exercise more discernment of what may be the right way to proceed than can an unregenerate person, Proverbs 3:5 STILL APPLIES him: -- "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING."

Recently, Dorothea and I had the opportunity to buy a little place which, at first, seemed to me to be "just right" for us and a place we could afford to buy.  But, when it "came right down to it," I was troubled.  My text above, "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23), had come to mind.  Finally, I told Dot that I felt that we should NOT buy that place.  After making this decision, peace came to me.  I believe that it was the Holy Spirit Who troubled me about buying the place, and it was He also Who gave us peace when we together agreed not to make that purchase.  Frankly, neither one of us knows WHY God checked us from buying that little place.  Neither of us wants to continue paying $900 per month rent for this place, but the owner does not want to sell.  So, things are still in limbo, but GOD KNOWS WHAT LIES AHEAD, and Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."  Thus, our Precious Shepherd will let us know what our next step is -- to the right place, and at the right time!  Praise His name!

Proverbs 3:6 instructs us thus: -- "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths."  As Christians, God wants us to seek to know His will "in ALL OUR WAYS."  There are probably many minor mundane things about which God is pleased to let us use old-fashioned, good sense.  However, the closer we live to Jesus, the more important we shall feel it to be that we seek His will about ALL THINGS -- especially if we feel uneasy about doing this or that.

Proverbs 16:9 gives us more on this subject, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."  It IS wise to plan ahead, and there is nothing wrong with trying to apply sanctified judgment in this regard -- so long as we allow "the Lord to direct our steps" -- give Him time to speak, and the chance to "check us," instead of making snap decisions that foolishly "run ahead of God"!

Proverbs 21:29 says, "A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way."  WHEN GOD TURNS ON THE ALARMS in one's soul, every true, and obedient Child of God will "HIT THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY"! -- instead of driving full-speed ahead with his own plans -- and, "he will direct his way" as GOD DIRECTS, instead of AS HE WISHES!  Conversely, if one is a hardened sinner whom God warns to stop, that man may ignore every Divine Alarm and go right ahead and do what he wants to do!  WOE BE UNTO EVERY SOUL who does this!

Here is the difference between Hardened Sinners and Humble Christians: -- a) The former DIRECT THEIR OWN WAY, without any input from God, but b) The latter DIRECT THEIR PRAYERS to God, humbly seeking HIS DIRECTION EVERY DAY: -- Psalm 5:3, "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I DIRECT MY PRAYER UNTO THEE, and will look up."  It is ALWAYS our duty to direct our prayers unto God, but NEVER our privilege to ignore God's direction!

My precious Christian brethren, Psalm 119:5 implores our Lord thus: -- "O THAT MY WAYS WERE DIRECTED to keep thy statutes!"  When this is the true and deep cry of one's heart, he (or she) can be assured that it SHALL BE ANSWERED!