Human Dependence and Divine Guidance
W. G. Barrett. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. I. THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD IN ALL OUR WAYS SUPPOSES, AS A PRELIMINARY, THAT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO DO IS CONSISTENT WITH CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLE. Christian principle is on the side of everything that is high, and honourable, and pure in the character of man. A mean Christian, a dishonourable Christian, an impure- minded Christian, are associations of light and darkness unknown to Christian verity. II. THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD IS THE CONSTANT ACCOMPANIMENT OF A FILIAL SPIRIT. The true child may not always understand, but will always obey the will of his parent. The filial spirit regulates the discordances between the understanding and the life. The religious man is a child. It is not enough for him to do child's work, he must do it in a child's temper. It is not enough for him to bear a child's discipline, he must bear it in a child's spirit. III. THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY PRACTICAL OBEDIENCE. Whether it is the cause or the effect of this obedience, it is not necessary to distinguish. There is a real practical obedience along with the utterance that expresses the acknowledgment. When may we hope that Divine direction is given in answer to prayer? Consider — 1. The reflex benefits of prayer. 2. The arrangements of God's providence that secure an answer to prayer. To withhold prayer is to oppose the spiritual constitution of the universe. It is the refusal of obedience, of worship, of the acknowledgment of dependence, of confession, of supplication, and of thanksgiving; and we cannot imagine that to place ourselves at that distance from God is the way to secure eternal bliss. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. WEB: In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.