+II. The necessary effect of such a confidence.+ We shall acknowledge God in all our ways. This must mean--1. _A practical recognition of His presence._ We may be in the presence of a superior, and know that we are in his presence, without acknowledging it by showing him the respect that is due to him. If this is the case, we virtually ignore his existence. A child whose behaviour is not deferential to his parent practically ignores him. Acknowledging God in all our ways implies a reverent attitude of soul towards Him. 2. _A belief in God's care for the individual life._ God makes himself known as the God of the individual man. The care of the individual is his self-imposed task. "I am the Lord God of _Abraham_, thy father, and the God of _Isaac_, . . . and behold I am with _thee_, and will keep _thee_ in all places whither thou goest" (Gen. xxviii. 13, 15). 3. _The reference of all our affairs to His guidance, and a submission of our will to His._ This will be easy and natural in proportion to our knowledge, and love, and conviction that God will not think any of our concerns beneath His notice. Our submission will be in the ratio of our confidence--our confidence in the ratio of our knowledge. +III. The promise of direction guaranteed to compliance with the exhortation.+ 1. _Men have many ways in life._ Man's many ways spring from his many needs. He has a living to earn in the world. His hunger must be satisfied--his body must be clothed and fed. His social wants must be met--he must have companions, form relationships. His mind must have food as well as his body. The aspirations of his spirit form another way, and demand direction and enlightenment. But one way--the way of acknowledging God--is needful to make any and all the other ways profitable and pleasant. 2. _The certainty of right guidance from the foreknowledge and power of the guide._ An Alpine guide, who has traversed a road many times, knows from memory what is at the end of the journey. He sees the end while he is on the way. God's foreknowledge answers to our memory. He sees the end to which He is bringing us while we are on the way. And His power makes the accomplishment of His plans certain. He can speak of them as finished before the means are set in motion to bring them to pass. He said to Joshua: "Behold, I have given into thine hand Jericho" (Josh. vi. 2), before any steps had been taken to overthrow it. His guidance makes it certain that His designs will be accomplished, whatever becomes of our plans. _OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS._ Verses 5 and 6. The heart, the seat of the affections, and also, in Hebrew psychology, the conscience, which is not a sure guide unless it is regulated by the Lord's will and Word.--_Wordsworth._