Sermon on November 12 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

(‘Proverbs’ – Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times)

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (11:3)
The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful (12:5)
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice (12:15)
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed (15:22)
To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
All a man’s ways seem pure to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed
The LORD works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster (16:1-4)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps (16:9)
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (16:25)
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD (16:33)
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (21:5)
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring (27:1)

How do you make decisions? Without thought? Going with the crowd? Waiting for a special sign?

1. THE GUIDANCE GOD DOES!

• God guides paradoxically (in a way that seems to contradict) (16:1,9,33)
  We are absolutely free to choose and absolutely in the hands of God. He sets your future, using your choices
• God guides discreetly (non-obviously) (16:4)
  When you keep saying ‘I need guidance’, you may become so paralyzed that you do not see what He is doing.

2. THE GUIDANCE GOD GIVES!

• Pay the price for God’s direction (16:3)

‘But the guidance of God is different. We don’t come to God to ask for His advice, but for His will – and that is not optional. And God’s fee is the highest one of all – it costs everything’
(Elizabeth Elliot)

• Become the person who gets guided (12:5; 15:22)
  Waiting for peace may not be the way ahead. Had Jesus waited for peace in his heart, would He have gone to the Cross?
  Sometimes we can be so comfortable as we are, we never step out and take the risky decision.

3. THE GUIDANCE THAT GOD GUARANTEES!
None of us have ever committed ourselves 100% unconditionally to God. So why would God guide us?
Jesus alone can be our true Navigator. He alone has paid the price because He navigated through the storm of God’s wrath.

Remember! Despite what we deserve, through Jesus we always have God on our side.
As you make decisions, do not hold back! Jesus is not just on your side, but at the helm of your life. Trust Him and act.

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How easy do you find it to make decisions? Are you normally impulsive, fatalistic, complaint or do you keep putting off?
2. “What you do is controlled by you but the future is absolutely determined.” Then why does it really matter what we do?
3. Do you have a story of where you could not see or imagine God working and when you look back you see God’s hand at work?
4. “God’s guidance is more something God does than what God gives.” What does this mean? Where are you needing to trust God now that He is in control?

 

Photo credit FreeImages.com/Oliver Gruener