SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1261

“Guidance”

And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you… – 2 Samuel 5:24

I recall a time when I needed guidance, and I sought counsel from my Pastor. He advised me to not make a move until the pillar of cloud and fire moved.

Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. – Exodus 40:36

I don’t know about you, but the sound of marching in trees or the visible manifestation of pillars of cloud and fire are not everyday occurrences in my life. I was not sure how to process my Pastor’s advice. I found the answer in the Word of God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. We will never accept counsel and direction from someone we do not trust. God is trustworthy, faithful, and true. His love is perfect. To trust Him we must know Him, and we get to know Him through His Word and the abiding presence of Jesus in us.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. – Psalm 143:8

Do not lean on your own understanding. Far too many of us seek guidance from the Lord when in reality we are seeking rubber stamp approval from the Lord for decisions we have already made by leaning on our own understanding.

To hear God’s guidance and direction we must squelch the noisy worldly wisdom and fine tune into the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit. We must also be clear about our motives regarding the decisions we need to make.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

The motives of our heart deceive us and cloud our understanding.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

Be honest with yourself: Does the direction you are seeking bring glory to God or to you?

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. – James 4:3

What is the root desire behind the direction you are seeking? Is it the idol of mammon?

In all your ways acknowledge Him. This is inviting God into every facet of our everyday life. It is the practice of His presence in everything we say and do and everywhere we go. It is being salt and light in a dark world. Does the direction and guidance we are seeking acknowledge Him?

And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God… – Luke 12:8-9

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. – Isaiah 58:11

He will make straight your paths. He will guide you. Do you have ‘ears to hear’ His guidance? Is your heart ‘good soil’ ready to receive the Word of God and let it take root and bear fruit? Not to put too fine a point on it, we simply cannot hear God’s direction and guidance if we do not take the time to be in His presence and listen to Him.

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. – Isaiah 30:21

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

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:7-8

Conclusion

We may not hear the sound of marching in the trees or see the pillar of cloud and fire move but by the Holy Spirit we will have ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding’ and we will know with confidence the direction that the Lord wants us to go.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7