"MY WAY VERSUS GOD'S WAY"
As you know there is only one way to a genuine relationship with God. And that is through His Son. From the Gospel of John we read the words of Jesus Who said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” But what about your on-going experience in the Christian life? Isn’t it possible for you and I as the children of God to veer off from God’s way and onto our own way? Please open your Bible with me to the Book of II Samuel and chapter two. Let me begin by pointing you to just what the Bible teaches on the subject of God’s ways. When it comes to God’s ways, it’s wise for us to understand how He sees His own ways in contrast to ours. Here’s what we read in Isaiah 55:8. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” To see things from the LORD’s viewpoint is to realize that in the larger scheme of things, God’s ways do have a great sense of mystery to them. and, it’s not natural for us to apply our hearts to God’s ways. At the same time, God clearly calls us to discover and learn His ways by His grace.
Now, here’s what the LORD said to King Solomon. I Kings 3:14 “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
And here’s what He said to Jeroboam, the first king of Israel. I Kings11:33 “Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.”
(11:38) And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.”
You see, the Bible is clear that the LORD wants us to operate according to His ways in a world that daily chooses the exact opposite; to not abide in His ways. And in the NT we read this about His ways. Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
You see, you might apply His ways to your personal life. But, practically speaking, it’s often very difficult to fully understand them.
We know His ways are good. We know His ways are right. And we know His ways are always for our benefit. And when we apply them to others around us, we also know that they are for their benefit as well. But we often find ourselves investing our times and energies into things that lead us away from those ways and down paths that will not work for us in the end.
In II Samuel chapter two we read the account of a son of King Saul whose name is Ishbosheth. I’d like to read a portion of his story to you and then pray for God’s blessing upon our hearts regarding His ways. II Samuel 2:8 says “But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (9) And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. (10) Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.”
Did you see what Saul’s army captain, captain Abner has done with Saul’s son Ishbosheth? He’s simply declared him king over Israel.
Now we could re-title this as “Man’s Way Versus God’s Way.” But let’s not do that. Let’s make it personal and practical.
When I read the Bible, I like to observe the Bible characters. After all, God placed their stories in the Bible in order to teach us His ways. And some of these individuals have a lot to teach us.
Ishbosheth was the fourth son of King Saul. He was not on the field of battle when Saul and his other three sons were slain. And he’s made king by simply being declared king. And the Bible says that he’s forty years when this occurs. But, did Ishbosheth know that it was God’s plan to have David succeed Saul?
And, at this point in the life of David, the entire nation of Israel has yet to make him king. For sure, there is a single tribe that is following him; the tribe of Judah. And, no doubt, rather than permit a vacuum in the leadership over Israel, a very capable and persuasive military leader by the name of Abner makes Ishbosheth, Saul’s fourth son, king over Israel. Besides, some might say, wouldn’t you expect that if even just one of Saul’s sons survived him that it should be he that would be elevated to the throne of Israel?
Well, insisting on our ways without putting our hearts and lives at God’s disposal is never the right thing to do. Ishbosheth is now forty years old and the Bible tells us one more thing. He reigns over Israel for just two years. My concern today is the character of those who make decisions without turning their hearts to the LORD.
Haven’t we all been there? Haven’t we all at times made large decisions completely apart from prayer and fasting and, simply forgotten or even refused to look to Him for direction? And haven’t we all made decisions we’ve later regretted?
Here’s the problem. By nature we often act simply because there’s a circumstance, a situation, a need, a time when quote “something has to be done.” And we proceed without going to the LORD first only to wish later that we had done so.
It’s not that God doesn’t want us to be good decision-makers. He does. But you can easily trace poor decision-making from Eve down through the Bible to today and you’ll discover that God’s principles and God’s directives and God’s ways are the narrow way Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount.
Do you remember what He said there? Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
The term “strait” here means “narrow” in the sense that it can only be entered one person at a time. The term “narrow” means “difficult.” Actually this word is translated numerous times in the NT as “tribulation” or “trouble.”
Given the choice, you would never quote “choose” trouble. But we often “choose” to do things that are contrary to God’s heart. Then later, we end up praying and asking the LORD to somehow fix it. And fortunately for us, He is the God of all grace and He does make a way for many of our decisions to be fixed.
Now, to the fourth son of Saul, Ishbosheth. Do you think he knew that it was God’s intention that David follow Saul as Israel’s next king?
Here’s what the Bible teaches.
First, Abner, the captain who made Ishbosheth King had to have known it. Do you recall who it was that first introduced David to King Saul? It was Saul’s captain, Abner, on the day that David killed Goliath. You can read this later in I Samuel chapter seventeen.
Second, Ishbosheth’s brother Jonathan knew it. Here’s what Saul said to Jonathan about David. I Samuel 18:8 “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?” I Samuel 20:31 “For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.”
Saul makes it plain to Jonathan that the likely candidate to succeed him as king is David. And here’s what Jonathan, the son of Saul says to David. I Samuel 23:16 “And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. (17) And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.” Saul knows it. Jonathan knows it and even tells David he knows it.
Now, do you think that Jonathan would have kept this to himself and never said anything to his brother Ishbosheth? If both Jonathan and Saul knew that the next king would be David, I’m quite sure both Abner and Ishbosheth knew it as well.
Third, an occasion arises when David has the opportunity to take Saul’s like and he refuses to do it. Saul says it plainly to David and there’s no doubt in my mind that everyone heard this conversation.
Here’s what we read in I Samuel chapter twenty-four and verse eleven. I Samuel 24:11 “Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. (12) The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (13) As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (14) After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. (15) The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. (16) And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. (17) And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. (18) And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. (19) For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. (20) And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.”
Do you have any doubt that if King Saul knew it and had said it openly for everyone to hear; if his son Jonathan knew it; then certainly both Abner and Ishbosheth knew it as well?
And, now try to imagine this, if you can. King Saul goes one step further. He goes to see a witch. She’s called in Scripture the Witch of Endor. Saul requests that she bring back Samuel from the dead. And to her shock; that is exactly what happens.
And, notwithstanding all we don’t know about what really happened that day, here’s what Samuel says to King Saul about David. I Samuel 28:15 “And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. (16) Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? (17) And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:…”
So, everyone knows; even Samuel, who is already dead. Anyone who was anyone knew who was to follow Saul on the throne of Israel: Saul, Jonathan, Samuel, and especially Abner and Ishbosheth. Yet, these men, Abner and Ishbosheth set their own will ahead of the LORD’s will. And the results, as you may know, are disastrous. How often have you known exactly what the LORD’s will is and chosen some other path? Yes, everyone of us has been there, haven’t we? I sure have.
Ishbosheth. By the way, as you know from II Samuel 2:10, Ishbosheth only reigned over Israel. But have you read the passage that tells how he died? Two of his army captains, two brothers, Rechab and Baanah murdered him one day while he slept late. Here’s what we read in II Samuel 4:5. II Samuel 4:5 “And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. (6) And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. (7) For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.”
This is a mere two years beyond the day that Abner sets him on the throne of Israel after Saul’s death. Who ever thinks that today’s decisions so seriously affect what happens in a mere twenty-four months later?
Now folks, this doesn’t mean that your life will come to such a violent end two years from today if you make poor decisions. But consider this.
Before you make a big decision this week or this month or this year, go to the LORD and settle it ahead of time that you will be a spiritual man or woman. Decide that you will choose to follow God’s directions and God’s principles and God’s wisdom.
And remember, Christians are not immune to running off and insisting upon our own ways, are we?
Now, how can you pray in light of the message in II Samuel two? Here’s what we read in James chapter one. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
And from the OT, here’s a prayer you can pray each day this week. Psalm 119:5 “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”
Now, by way of personal application, I’d like to offer you a basic, but not so easy plan for you to put into action when you’re being tempted to strike off on your own and not let the LORD have the joy of directing you.
1. Decide ahead of time to not make a big decision without spending sufficient time in prayer beforehand.
2. Look to the wisdom of other godly people in your life.
3. Check your spirit continually for a sense of yieldedness to the LORD.
4. Give big decisions time to percolate. By percolate I mean, think them through carefully and make choices based upon wisdom and Scripture. Ask the LORD for the clarity of wisdom that He gives in His Word.
5. Prepare yourself to seek the LORD by setting up a scale in your heart and letting Him tip it.
6. Apply these directives to large decisions only.
7. Wait on the LORD. When the time comes to make the final decision, God will provide the counsel in your heart you need.
Now can you see why I am continually after you to present yourself to the LORD and pray the prayer of submission? It’s because the biggest need in your life is that you have Him really direct and bless your life.
Here’s that wonderful prayer. “LORD, I submit all that I am to you; all my spirit, my soul, and my body. I ask that you work out your blessed will upon me today.” And then, let Him have His way. So, is there really any other response that this?
Now, here’s what the LORD said to King Solomon. I Kings 3:14 “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
And here’s what He said to Jeroboam, the first king of Israel. I Kings11:33 “Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.”
(11:38) And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.”
You see, the Bible is clear that the LORD wants us to operate according to His ways in a world that daily chooses the exact opposite; to not abide in His ways. And in the NT we read this about His ways. Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
You see, you might apply His ways to your personal life. But, practically speaking, it’s often very difficult to fully understand them.
We know His ways are good. We know His ways are right. And we know His ways are always for our benefit. And when we apply them to others around us, we also know that they are for their benefit as well. But we often find ourselves investing our times and energies into things that lead us away from those ways and down paths that will not work for us in the end.
In II Samuel chapter two we read the account of a son of King Saul whose name is Ishbosheth. I’d like to read a portion of his story to you and then pray for God’s blessing upon our hearts regarding His ways. II Samuel 2:8 says “But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; (9) And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. (10) Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.”
Did you see what Saul’s army captain, captain Abner has done with Saul’s son Ishbosheth? He’s simply declared him king over Israel.
Now we could re-title this as “Man’s Way Versus God’s Way.” But let’s not do that. Let’s make it personal and practical.
When I read the Bible, I like to observe the Bible characters. After all, God placed their stories in the Bible in order to teach us His ways. And some of these individuals have a lot to teach us.
Ishbosheth was the fourth son of King Saul. He was not on the field of battle when Saul and his other three sons were slain. And he’s made king by simply being declared king. And the Bible says that he’s forty years when this occurs. But, did Ishbosheth know that it was God’s plan to have David succeed Saul?
And, at this point in the life of David, the entire nation of Israel has yet to make him king. For sure, there is a single tribe that is following him; the tribe of Judah. And, no doubt, rather than permit a vacuum in the leadership over Israel, a very capable and persuasive military leader by the name of Abner makes Ishbosheth, Saul’s fourth son, king over Israel. Besides, some might say, wouldn’t you expect that if even just one of Saul’s sons survived him that it should be he that would be elevated to the throne of Israel?
Well, insisting on our ways without putting our hearts and lives at God’s disposal is never the right thing to do. Ishbosheth is now forty years old and the Bible tells us one more thing. He reigns over Israel for just two years. My concern today is the character of those who make decisions without turning their hearts to the LORD.
Haven’t we all been there? Haven’t we all at times made large decisions completely apart from prayer and fasting and, simply forgotten or even refused to look to Him for direction? And haven’t we all made decisions we’ve later regretted?
Here’s the problem. By nature we often act simply because there’s a circumstance, a situation, a need, a time when quote “something has to be done.” And we proceed without going to the LORD first only to wish later that we had done so.
It’s not that God doesn’t want us to be good decision-makers. He does. But you can easily trace poor decision-making from Eve down through the Bible to today and you’ll discover that God’s principles and God’s directives and God’s ways are the narrow way Jesus spoke about in the Sermon on the Mount.
Do you remember what He said there? Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
The term “strait” here means “narrow” in the sense that it can only be entered one person at a time. The term “narrow” means “difficult.” Actually this word is translated numerous times in the NT as “tribulation” or “trouble.”
Given the choice, you would never quote “choose” trouble. But we often “choose” to do things that are contrary to God’s heart. Then later, we end up praying and asking the LORD to somehow fix it. And fortunately for us, He is the God of all grace and He does make a way for many of our decisions to be fixed.
Now, to the fourth son of Saul, Ishbosheth. Do you think he knew that it was God’s intention that David follow Saul as Israel’s next king?
Here’s what the Bible teaches.
First, Abner, the captain who made Ishbosheth King had to have known it. Do you recall who it was that first introduced David to King Saul? It was Saul’s captain, Abner, on the day that David killed Goliath. You can read this later in I Samuel chapter seventeen.
Second, Ishbosheth’s brother Jonathan knew it. Here’s what Saul said to Jonathan about David. I Samuel 18:8 “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?” I Samuel 20:31 “For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.”
Saul makes it plain to Jonathan that the likely candidate to succeed him as king is David. And here’s what Jonathan, the son of Saul says to David. I Samuel 23:16 “And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. (17) And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.” Saul knows it. Jonathan knows it and even tells David he knows it.
Now, do you think that Jonathan would have kept this to himself and never said anything to his brother Ishbosheth? If both Jonathan and Saul knew that the next king would be David, I’m quite sure both Abner and Ishbosheth knew it as well.
Third, an occasion arises when David has the opportunity to take Saul’s like and he refuses to do it. Saul says it plainly to David and there’s no doubt in my mind that everyone heard this conversation.
Here’s what we read in I Samuel chapter twenty-four and verse eleven. I Samuel 24:11 “Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. (12) The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (13) As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. (14) After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. (15) The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. (16) And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. (17) And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. (18) And thou hast showed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not. (19) For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. (20) And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.”
Do you have any doubt that if King Saul knew it and had said it openly for everyone to hear; if his son Jonathan knew it; then certainly both Abner and Ishbosheth knew it as well?
And, now try to imagine this, if you can. King Saul goes one step further. He goes to see a witch. She’s called in Scripture the Witch of Endor. Saul requests that she bring back Samuel from the dead. And to her shock; that is exactly what happens.
And, notwithstanding all we don’t know about what really happened that day, here’s what Samuel says to King Saul about David. I Samuel 28:15 “And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. (16) Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? (17) And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:…”
So, everyone knows; even Samuel, who is already dead. Anyone who was anyone knew who was to follow Saul on the throne of Israel: Saul, Jonathan, Samuel, and especially Abner and Ishbosheth. Yet, these men, Abner and Ishbosheth set their own will ahead of the LORD’s will. And the results, as you may know, are disastrous. How often have you known exactly what the LORD’s will is and chosen some other path? Yes, everyone of us has been there, haven’t we? I sure have.
Ishbosheth. By the way, as you know from II Samuel 2:10, Ishbosheth only reigned over Israel. But have you read the passage that tells how he died? Two of his army captains, two brothers, Rechab and Baanah murdered him one day while he slept late. Here’s what we read in II Samuel 4:5. II Samuel 4:5 “And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon. (6) And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. (7) For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.”
This is a mere two years beyond the day that Abner sets him on the throne of Israel after Saul’s death. Who ever thinks that today’s decisions so seriously affect what happens in a mere twenty-four months later?
Now folks, this doesn’t mean that your life will come to such a violent end two years from today if you make poor decisions. But consider this.
Before you make a big decision this week or this month or this year, go to the LORD and settle it ahead of time that you will be a spiritual man or woman. Decide that you will choose to follow God’s directions and God’s principles and God’s wisdom.
And remember, Christians are not immune to running off and insisting upon our own ways, are we?
Now, how can you pray in light of the message in II Samuel two? Here’s what we read in James chapter one. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
And from the OT, here’s a prayer you can pray each day this week. Psalm 119:5 “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”
Now, by way of personal application, I’d like to offer you a basic, but not so easy plan for you to put into action when you’re being tempted to strike off on your own and not let the LORD have the joy of directing you.
1. Decide ahead of time to not make a big decision without spending sufficient time in prayer beforehand.
2. Look to the wisdom of other godly people in your life.
3. Check your spirit continually for a sense of yieldedness to the LORD.
4. Give big decisions time to percolate. By percolate I mean, think them through carefully and make choices based upon wisdom and Scripture. Ask the LORD for the clarity of wisdom that He gives in His Word.
5. Prepare yourself to seek the LORD by setting up a scale in your heart and letting Him tip it.
6. Apply these directives to large decisions only.
7. Wait on the LORD. When the time comes to make the final decision, God will provide the counsel in your heart you need.
Now can you see why I am continually after you to present yourself to the LORD and pray the prayer of submission? It’s because the biggest need in your life is that you have Him really direct and bless your life.
Here’s that wonderful prayer. “LORD, I submit all that I am to you; all my spirit, my soul, and my body. I ask that you work out your blessed will upon me today.” And then, let Him have His way. So, is there really any other response that this?