YOU CAN’T HAVE IT YOUR WAY

No, you can’t have it your way. “Why can’t I,” you may ask. The answer can be found in Isaiah 55:8 – 9, which states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I believe everyone wants to be successful; to achieve this, one must first realize they need to be connected to God, whose ways and plans often differ from ours. True success comes from seeking God’s direction and following His recommended path, not ours.

Unfortunately, when Adam and Eve disobeyed the instructions of God in the Garden of Eden, humanity inherited a sinful nature. This nature has continuously caused humans to make the wrong choices. This is why God gave Israel the commandments, statutes, and laws so that they would have guidelines to follow. However, rather than accepting that God knew what was best, the stiffnecked people refused to submit. Instead, they sought directions from nations and people who did not believe in their God. Their actions were displeasing to God, and though they were told and warned of their error, they continued with it.

For those of us living today, we have the bible, which shares a clear picture of what can happen to those that allow the spirit of pride, disobedience, and stubbornness to reign in their life and persist in choosing their own way.

Recently I experienced sadness after reading the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Each book showed God’s continual pursuit after a people who did not want Him. He was long-suffering with them. He pleaded with them to change their ways. He gave them warnings of disaster, but they did not believe the words He gave the prophets for them, and consequently, those that survived the enemy slaughter ended in captivity.

Further, in Isaiah 55, God said, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s word will bring favor and blessings to those that seek Him and judgment to those that choose their sinful ways. So, my advice to you is before you decide to do a thing your way, check with God to see if He agrees with you. If he isn’t in agreement, find His way and then do that.