“There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.”
— Proverbs 16:25 AMPC
Life is filled with choices, and these choices shape the paths we take. Our decisions are often influenced by our life goals and purposes. As we delve into our aspirations, we discover numerous routes suggested by our parents, friends, teachers, mentors, and others in our lives.
Every choice we make charts a course for our future. Today's scripture reminds us that in making these choices, we are susceptible to destructive decisions, particularly when we rely solely on our own understanding and judgment. As human beings, we are prone to error.
Jesus speaks of two paths in life: the narrow way and the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14). The broad way is unrestricted and easy, attracting many travelers. While it may seem pleasurable and enjoyable by worldly standards, it ultimately leads to death. In contrast, the narrow road is difficult and uncomfortable but leads to life. It's intriguing that despite our perceived wisdom, a significant number choose the path of destruction by pursuing pleasure over the challenging yet rewarding route.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, when Samuel visited Jesse's house to anoint the next king of Israel, he initially judged based on outward appearance—what any human would naturally consider. Yet God reminded him, “I look beyond the physical into the heart.” This highlights a crucial truth: the world often promotes systems and values that may not align with divine wisdom.
Many people learn early on about societal norms—ways to navigate life that may include unethical practices like bribery or deceit for personal gain. A poignant example is the prodigal son, who believed he was ready to take control of his life. His choice, though seemingly right at the time, led to ruin. He likely thought he was making a mature decision—“I’m taking responsibility”—but the outcome was misery.
I too have led myself down paths that I believed made sense at the time. I was often surprised by the outcomes because everything appeared to promise success. As humans, our conclusions can be misleading; we cannot foresee the end from our current vantage point. A wise preacher once said, “It may be a good move, but it might not be the right one for you.”
A life surrendered to God assures us that even in dire circumstances, there can be a positive outcome (Psalm 23:4-5).
In closing, the antidote to misjudgment and avoiding destruction is singular: commit your way to the Lord, and He will establish your path (Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 37:5). While there are many ways in life, Jesus declares that He is the Way (John 14:6). In essence, He embodies the path to true success. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh; this is why God instructed Joshua never to let His Word depart from his sight—doing so would guarantee his success (Joshua 1:8).
Let us relinquish our limited understanding to embrace God’s excellence, who sees beyond what we can perceive.
Declaration
Father, I let go my thinking and ways for Yours. Please help me continually depend on YOU to live in JESUS mighty name.
