Now,
this is a way to consider hindsight that never, ever occurred to me.
In this case hindsight has nothing to do with the past, just
recognition. Dogs are such unique creatures. A little sniff here and
there, then using their nose, they do a close up sniff to see what
the other dog (s) are all about. Then, they just move on.
As
human beings, we have to rely more on what we already know about our
culture, our surroundings and what we think will happen. Sadly, more
often than not, we do the wrong things at the wrong time and in
hindsight, we often regret our actions. But, what if there was
another way to live; one that was not just self-motivated. Could it
be that we humans really do need directions?
The
Bible says…
Not
in Man
Jeremiah
10 ( World English
Bible )
[23]
Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in
man who walks to direct his steps. [24] Yahweh, correct me, but
in measure: not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
Look
around us, our society is full of the woes of sins: broken families,
a record number of incarcerations, drugs abuse, political corruption
and human being being killed (aborted) before birth. With all this,
it seems obvious that we as a nation are doing something wrong. In
short, not following God’s directions on how to live.
Consider a man after God’s own heart – David.
The
Example of David
Psalm
23 ( WEB )
[1]
A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. [2] He
makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
[3] He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they
comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. [6] Surely
goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.
David
was not a perfect man, he sinned. However, as even a cursory read of
the 23rd Psalm will show, he lived life seeking God and
seeing God at work in him. He was in fact a man after God’s own
heart, in that he continually tried to please God and repented when
he did not. So, what about us? Can we change our self-motivated
lifestyles to God directed ones. I think we can and should. We can
begin by learning to trust God and taking him at his word. It is
written in the book of proverbs...
Trust
is necessary
Proverbs
3 ( WEB )
[5]
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own
understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will
make your paths straight. [7] Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear
Yahweh, and depart from evil.
Yes,
trust is necessary, but it is a learned attribute. How do we arrive
at a point in our lives where can trust God? One answer is we read
God’s word, reflect on it and put it into practice. Try God and see
if He doesn’t change your life.
I
have a challenge for you: Read one chapter of the book of Proverbs a
day for the next month and put it into practice. In 31 days your life
will change and once you see that change – you WILL WANT MORE. I
promise.