The Best Way

October 8, 2006

If I were to tell you a few basic facts about my mother, could you say you know her? Not really. But if I were to describe her life in detail, how she interacted with others, what a wonderful mother she was, how careful she was with money, and how much she loved God, you would begin to know who she was.

Unfortunately, many of God’s people are satisfied with only knowing a few facts about God. We don’t long to know Him intimately. It’s the heart of God that we would really know Him and know His ways.

What’s the difference between the ways of God and the acts of God?

Psalm 103:7

God’s ways include His thoughts and motivations.

Knowing God’s ways helps us know Him intimately.

It’s not arrogant to say we can know His ways; He commands us to know them.

Why we should know His ways?

It’s essential to knowing Him. (Exodus 3:13) Most people are more interested in knowing what God can do for them.

He requires it; therefore, He will help us understand them. (Deuteronomy 10:12)

It’s the deep yearning of the heart of God. Just like a husband and wife can predict the other’s actions because they know each other, God desires us to know Him intimately.

It prevents unnecessary trials and disappointments. If Israel would have followed His ways, God would have met all the people’s needs. (Psalm 81: 10-16) Sometimes we cause ourselves heartache because we live in rebellion to His ways.

It’s the best way. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. His ways may be painful or difficult because God’s goal is an intimate relationship with us. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

It’s the pathway to success. The world says that success is wealth, prominence, prestige, and power. True success is discovering God’s will and obeying it. (1 Kings 2:1-3)

It builds our faith. When we obey, we see the blessings; when we disobey, we see the consequences.

It’s the most rewarding way.

It demonstrates His awesome power.

Sometimes His ways are surprising.

Can we know His ways?

Some passages seem to say that we can’t.

Isaiah 55:8-9
Psalm 139:6
Romans 11:33-34
Job 11:7

We can’t fathom His ways unless His Spirit reveals them to us. (1 Corinthians 2:11-13)

We don’t have to understand God completely before we commit our lives to Christ. (Deuteronomy 29:29)  Example: While on a photography trip, Dr. Stanley met a man who said he would trust God if he could understand Him.

What are the benefits to walking in His ways?

We develop intimacy with God. If we want the best He has for us, we must open our lives to Him.

We get His viewpoint.

We’re able to wait.

We begin to live by His guiding principles.

His ways act as an anchor in the storms of life.

Our lives impact those around us.

The first step to walking in His ways is to ask God to forgive you of your sins, based on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Then obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. The sovereign of the universe assumes full responsibility for your life the moment you make a full surrender to Him. Walking in His ways is the best way, the wisest way, the most profitable way.