Proverbs 14:12

King James Bible:
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.                                                                                                                      Contemporary English Version:
You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead.                               GOD’S WORD® Translation:
There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.

What keeps a person from surrendering his heart and life to Jesus? What keeps a person from trusting Him with all of his worries and cares, troubles and trials?

1. Pride will keep some from admitting they need a Savior. The world tells us we are supposed to make things right on our own and fix our own problems. Some reject the Savior because they think they can save themselves by being a good person.
2. For some, Guilt makes us feel unworthy of God’s grace. We feel like our sins are unforgivable. We have sinned too much, too often. Or maybe we think we have done something far worse that God is willing to forgive, so we walk away.
3. Fear. Many are afraid that they will never be able to truly live their life for Christ. Some are afraid to confess their sins, and their need of forgiveness.  But still others are afraid of what they might have to give up so they can have eternal life.  Some don’t want to give up their sin and selfish ways. They don’t want to repent.
4. A lot of people worry so much about their trials and troubles that they will not trust them to Jesus Christ. Some are worried about the damage they have caused by their sin. Some worry so much about so many things, they cannot trust. They still depend on themselves.

 Pride, Guilt, Fear, Worry. All of these are forms of Doubt. People think they have to make their life right before God will accept them. Some people say to themselves “God will never forgive me for all the wrong I have done” or “God will never take me the way I am”.

In all of these things, we doubt the goodness of God and the truth of His Word. This always leads to sin… The wages of sin is death… “There is a way that seems right to a person, but it eventually ends in death.” But God is good. His mercy endures all things forever, and His word is true and sure. His character and nature is Love. In Christ, His love is strong enough to make up for our weakness.

We have Hope.

Let’s pray: Father, Your word in Isaiah 55:9, says your ways are higher than our ways and your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. In response to your word we say thank you for being above us and knowing what is best for us. In our lives we all search for our purpose but we ask for your will to be done. But don’t let us be blind and foolish. Each of us MUST come to through Jesus and only then we can ask you to show your will for us. Please put us in a place of acceptance of what you reveal to us. It may not be what we want. But it will surely be what we need. We must live a life fully committed to you.

When fear and doubt and worry and guilt and pride try to destroy us, we ask you to be the destroyer of those things by your perfect love. We know love casts out all fear.  You will see us tempted to turn back and ignore your will. But please hold us. Help us to see that you only want the best for us. Help us to realize that Your will is for our good. Give us a spirit to accept your will. Give us an open heart. Most of all Lord, let us never forget to seek You just for Your presence. Let us always desire to be with you above all things. Have us remember to Seek your kingdom first and let You take care of everything else. Let Your love surround us. Cast out fear or doubts. Help us to live in love with you, accept Your will for our lives and give us the proper response to you when you speak to us.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen