The book of Proverbs reveals much of the direction God wants us to go in this life. God directs us through wisdom and rejection of His directions brings condemnation and destruction.

1. GOD'S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS

2. Proverbs 16:1-9 The preparations of the heart
belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from
the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own
eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your
works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be
established. The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes,
even the wicked for the day of doom. Everyone
proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In
mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity;
And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even
his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little
with righteousness, Than vast revenues without
justice. A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD
directs his steps.

3. GOD’S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS
A. REJECTION OF GOD'S DIRECTION BRINGS DESTRUCTION -
(Prov 1:24-33) Because I have called and you refused, I have
stretched out my hand and no one regarded, {25} Because
you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my
rebuke, {26} I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock
when your terror comes, {27} When your terror comes like a
storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When
distress and anguish come upon you. {28} "Then they will
call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me
diligently, but they will not find me. {29} Because they hated
knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, {30}
They would have none of my counsel And despised my every
rebuke. {31} Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own
way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. {32} For
the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the
complacency of fools will destroy them; {33} But whoever
listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without
fear of evil.”

4. GOD’S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS
B. GOD DIRECTS THROUGH WISDOM - (Prov 2:1-9) My son,
if you receive my words, And treasure my commands
within you, {2} So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding; {3} Yes, if you
cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for
understanding, {4} If you seek her as silver, And search
for her as for hidden treasures; {5} Then you will
understand the fear of the LORD, And find the
knowledge of God. {6} For the LORD gives wisdom; From
His mouth come knowledge and understanding; {7} He
stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to
those who walk uprightly; {8} He guards the paths of
justice, And preserves the way of His saints. {9} Then
you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity
and every good path.

5. GOD’S DIRECTION IN PROVERBS
C. GOD DIRECTS OUR STEPS - (Prov 16:1-9) The preparations
of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue
is from the LORD. {2} All the ways of a man are pure in his
own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. {3} Commit
your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be
established. {4} The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes,
even the wicked for the day of doom. {5} Everyone proud
in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join
forces, none will go unpunished. {6} In mercy and truth
Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the
LORD one departs from evil. {7} When a man's ways
please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at
peace with him. {8} Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice. {9} A man's heart
plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps

6. I. WE DON'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND
GOD'S GUIDANCE
A. (Prov 20:24) A man's steps are of the LORD;
How then can a man understand his own
way?
B. (Prov 3:32) For the perverse person is an
abomination to the LORD, But His secret
counsel is with the upright.

7. II. WE MAKE PLANS BUT GOD
SOMETIMES CHANGES THEM
A. (Prov 16:1) The preparations of the heart
belong to man, But the answer of the tongue
is from the LORD.
B. (Prov 19:21) There are many plans in a man's
heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel; that
will stand.

8. III. WHEN WE GIVE OURSELVES TO
GOD HE CONTROLS EVEN OUR
THOUGHTS
A. (Prov 16:3) Commit your works to the LORD,
And your thoughts will be established.
B. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down
arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ,

9. IV. CIRCUMSTANCES CAN BE USED
BY GOD
A. (Prov 16:33) The lot is cast into the lap, But
its every decision is from the LORD.
B. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, you meant
evil against me; but God meant it for good,
in order to bring it about as it is this day, to
save many people alive.

10. V. GOD CONTROLS EVEN RULERS
A. (Prov 21:1) The king's heart is in the hand of
the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it
wherever He wishes.
B. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all
that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for
kings and all who are in authority, that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence. 3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.

11. VI. WE MUST TRUST GOD'S GUIDANCE
A. (Prov 3:5-6) Trust in the LORD with all your
heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; {6} In all your ways
acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths.
B. Proverbs 28:25-26 He who is of a proud
heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the
LORD will be prospered. 26 He who trusts in
his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks
wisely will be delivered.

12. VII. MANY DO NOT SEE A NEED FOR
GOD'S DIRECTION
A. (Prov 16:2) All the ways of a man are pure in
his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the
spirits.
B. Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim each
his own goodness, But who can find a
faithful man?

13. VIII. IT IS BETTER TO FOLLOW GOD'S
DIRECTION THAN TO RELY ON
SACRIFICES FOR FAILURE TO FOLLOW
A. (Prov 21:3) To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than
sacrifice.
B. 1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: "Has the
LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the
LORD? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

14. IS GOD DIRECTING YOU?
A. GOD DISCIPLINES US TO CHANGE OUR PATH - (Prov 3:7-
12) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and
depart from evil. {8} It will be health to your flesh, And
strength to your bones. {9} Honor the LORD with your
possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
{10} So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your
vats will overflow with new wine. {11} My son, do not
despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His
correction; {12} For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
B. GOD'S DIRECTION BRING LIFE - (Prov 14:26-27) In the
fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His
children will have a place of refuge. {27} The fear of the
LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the
snares of death.

16. HAVE A
GOD-DIRECTED
WEEK