“Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach Is way.” Psalm 25:8,9
There is nothing more natural, and logical, than the fact that the God, who is Almighty, who loves us, redeems and saves us, is committed to leading us into those paths that are right, well-pleasing to Him, and which will bring glory to Him. He is not a “stingy” God, who willfully seeks to toy with us, or delights to hide from us that which is His best and highest. The cross of Calvary dispels this thinking, for we see in the sacrifice of Christ an eternal seriousness concerning, the salvation of men, but also the holy and merciful purpose of bringing us all into conformity with His will, which is that essential element of Highest blessing. This is illustrated in John’s gospel when Jesus said to His disciples: “If a man love Me, He will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” (14:23) Here the Lord reveals to us the wondrous blessing of God’s condescending presence, not only in that the Son comes to make His abode in the heart, but that the Father also comes and does so likewise. This statement reveals that our highest blessing is God Himself, the knowledge of Him, and the experience of communion with Him. To commune with Him is to know Him. This is why with regard to the knowledge of God, God works in the believer to “will” and to “do” of HIs good pleasure, so that man can know Christ, be filled with the Spirit of Christ, and out of a life of abiding and communion with Him, reveal to the world that He IS God, and the Savior of all who will come to Him. So then, when considering being led by God, how is the believer to understand God’s ways, and be fully persuaded of the hand of God being upon the life? How can one come to the same conclusion that the Apostle Paul came to with regard to circumstances and God’s leading in the life, when he made the following declarations?
In one of many of these declarations Paul writes: “For as many as are LED by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) It is the believer’s constant privilege, and inheritance in Christ, coupled with the commitment of God, to be led, and guided into all truth. The knowledge of God’s will is confirmed by His peace. Secondly, Paul would write: “And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (8:28) How can Paul write such a statement except that his knowledge of God brings him face to face with the sovereignty of God, His love, goodness, and resolve to provide clear direction for His child? Paul also declares by this statement that he is very limited in how much he can grasp of God’s workings, but certain, that God will not deceive, trick, or lead him wrongly. There is revealed in Paul’s faith the very basis for it: God’s faithfulness, righteousness, truthfulness, and goodness. Though he cannot trace God’s hand, he can trust His heart.
How then does God lead? There are three things that we need to understand to some extent if we are going to be “assured” of God’s leading. The first is faith, faith in the faithfulness of God. God leads because He has declared that He will certainly do so in answer to faith. Secondly, God has given the Spirit of God to reveal to us the things of God, His will according to the Scriptures, and then witnessing to our spirits by the conviction and peace that He willingly gives. Lastly, God confirms to our hearts and minds through circumstances, and the witness of other brethren walking by the Spirit, that the way before us is right.
Dear Father, Lead us clearly today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.