SWORD OF THE SPIRIT 1226
“Seeking Direction”
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles. – Luke 6:12-13
As we close another calendar year and transition through the celebrations into the start of a new year we pause to reflect on the past and make plans for the days ahead of us.
Businesses seek direction from a plethora of economic and demographic data to make important decisions. Individuals, such as you and me, also seek direction on key life choices we need to make. We may need direction in a career choice, curriculum of study, whom to marry, where to live, buy a house or rent and the list goes on and on.
Jesus, in our reference Scripture sets an example of how to seek direction in making important decisions: ‘He continued in prayer to God’.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8
Note that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray. He distanced Himself from the distractions of everyday life demands and quieted His mind so that He may have communion with the Father and be able to hear His voice.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. – Isaiah 30:21; Matthew 11:15
When I prayerfully seek direction from the Lord, I always ask for two things:
- That He eliminate the ‘gray areas.’ I want clear ‘black and white’ direction. If a door is not to be opened, I ask that He shut it tight and the path I am to follow be clear and level before me.
- That He show me the ministry in the direction I should go. How will my choice in direction further His Kingdom and serve others in His Name?
This is where I need ‘ears to hear’ and a heart after God’s own heart. I must not have a preconceived notion of what I want to hear from the Lord to the point that I attempt to kick down the doors that He shuts tight in order to have my way.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! – Psalm 143:10
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. – Psalm 25:4
Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. – Psalm 25:12
All our life choices, direction, and decisions pale relative to the decision about our eternal destination. If we remain ‘on the fence’ in deciding for Christ, we are double-minded and cannot expect to have fellowship with God and hear His direction.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:7-8
If you are that person who needs direction from God but have yet to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that is the first direction from God’s Word that you need to obey.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me; And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. – John 14:6; Acts 4:12; John 1:12
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved; – Romans 10:9
May the Lord give you clear direction in all you do in the coming year.
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. – Numbers 6:24-26
Happy New Year!
Sword of the Spirit 