As a child of God seeking direction, what has been your approach? Do you

1. Hear first from people before seeking God’s views or
2. Do you hear first from God before getting people’s confirmation? The former is not the way to go! If as you state that you are a child of God, your first port of call must always be God in active prayer; He knows better than any man! Listen to Proverbs 16:1-4

Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word. Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good. Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place. God made everything with a place and purpose; even the wicked are included—but for judgment. Proverbs 16:1-4 (MSG)

Go ahead and make all the plans you want, but it’s the Lord who will ultimately direct your steps. We are all in love with our own opinions, convinced they’re correct. But the Lord is in the midst of us, testing and probing our every motive. Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed. The Lord works everything together to accomplish his purpose. Even the wicked are included in his plans—he sets them aside for the day of disaster. Proverbs 16:1-4 (TPT)

We will take two examples from the life of David, the first drawn from the conversation relating to building the temple with Nathan, trusted and anointed seer for God—2 Samuel 7 (please take the time to closely study this passage).

While God still speaks through trusted vessels, they can also be wrong footed in their reading of God’s mind as was the case in this situation! What David did was right for His time, because God gave them prophets and instructions to seek His mind through them. It is not so in our dispensation! Here are two specific promises that God gave concerning us:

• John 15:16 conditioned on us being fruitful for Him—You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. John 15:16 (MSG)
• You didn’t choose (invited you as like a dinner guest) me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world (ministry) to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, He will give it to you! John 15:16 (TPT)
• He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. 1 Timothy 2:4-6 (MSG)
• He longs for everyone to embrace his life and return to the full knowledge of the truth. For God is one, and there is one Mediator between God and the sons of men—the true man, Jesus, the Anointed One. He gave himself as ransom-payment for everyone. Now is the proper time for God to give the world this witness. 1 Timothy 2:4-6 (TPT)

You have no excuse not to place God first. You have the Holy Spirit and if you are living for His pleasure, you have the right of approach and right of access through Christ.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1,2 (NLT)

Consider verse 2 of our scripture text for today. The best of men’s thoughts are pure in their eyes but before taking man’s counsel check these three things:

1. The source of their wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-9 (TPT and AMPC)
2. Their motives. Will your consequent actions and accomplishments stand up under divine scrutiny; and
3. The outcome of their life pursuits! Are their life’s pursuits for fame, or status or power or riches, or prestige or comfort!!! If any of these, you will be violating one of the core principles of God.

Acts 20:33-35 (MSG)—“I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”

Selah

Pastor Afolabi Oladele