Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" Jeremiah 6:16

Watch out what you ask for. You might just get it, but if it's not in the will of God, you won't like it. In the passage below, the Israelites insisted that they wanted a king over them even though God warned them that they wouldn't end up liking it in the end. If the wisdom in the minds of people and the desires in their hearts were good and perfect, then this world would look a lot different than it does now.

People say God is love and He understands. What does He understand? That our ways are higher than His ways? Definitely not. Does He appreciate the fact that we don't want to obey Him, but would rather go our own way? No, He doesn't. Love does not mean getting your own way all of the time, or "never having to say you're sorry." That is not in the Bible. What does it actually say? It says to do the will of God if you want to be happy and live a long, prosperous life. Trust Him and He will guide you. It says the way of men is wicked to the core and we need a Savior if we want to be allowed to go live with God when our time here is up.

So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” 1 Samuel 8:11-18

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. Ecclesiastes 10:5-6

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9-10

The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. Genesis 6:5-6

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:16

Behold, God is exalted in His power;
Who is a teacher like Him?
“Who has appointed Him His way,
And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?
Job 36:22-23

“Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?
Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
When the morning stars sang together,
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"
Job 38:1-7

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25

"You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge." Proverbs 8:5-9

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20

Meanwhile His disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then His disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought Him food?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work.” John 4:31-34

kit: Desperate Green by Marta van Eck; page overlay by BekahE