The Certainty Of Guidance

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Psalm 32:8

The certainty of God guiding His children is as real and current as the rising of the sun, and even more so.  So then, why is being led by God a difficult thing at times in the lives of believers?  It is certainly not God who is difficult concerning this matter, but the believer.  This is why the Psalmist writes: “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding,” (Ps. 32:9) and need a bridle and bit to be brought under control. This is the fundamental basis for knowing, and being assured of the will of God, is first discovered in one’s willingness to do the will of God.  Jesus said, “…If any man will do His (God’s) will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (Jn. 7:17) Although the Lord is speaking of discerning the truth of His teaching, and its source, the principle applies to guidance also.  Knowledge and assurance of the will of God are known by those who are willing first and foremost, to the authority of Christ, committing themselves to do the will of God.

Throughout Scripture, we find the consistent message that we see David’s Psalm 23rd psalm: “…He leadeth me.” Another example Cyrus the Great. Isaiah writes:  “…I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways.” (Is. 45:13) There is here a certainty of intent by God to lead, guide, and direct this  one who will truly hear His voice, trust and obey Him.  Again, why is there so much difficulty in grasping that God can, and will guide the believer?  Let us consider the issue of man’s helplessness, but God’s good and gracious dealings with men.

As to man’s littleness, Scripture tells us that “…the nations are but a drop in a bucket…” What does that say of me? That littleness is reflected in his ability to understand fully, not only that which he sees in the physical world, but more importantly, that which is occurring in the spiritual, unseen world.  There is also the essential of God’s revelation to man of the truth. If man would understand the will of God, then he must be exposed to the truth in the word of God.  There must be an absolute dependence upon the Spirit of God to reveal the truth, its meaning, and how it is to be applied.  Thus, a man must be willing to do the will of God.  Then he must be teachable with regard to learning the ways of God, and this involves the study of His word. But there must be also the absolute dependence upon the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (God).” (Eph. 1:17) The believer is to live in the certain expectancy of God’s leading, and guidance.  The Lord Jesus, by the Spirit of God, will certainly take the truths of the word of God, open up their meaning and application to the life, and then empower the believer to obey them for the glory and honor of God.

A good and very simple example of being led is found in John’s gospel, chapter 21.  The time is after the resurrection, and the disciples are at an impass as to what they should do.  So, Peter proposes that they should go fishing, which they did, all night…but caught nothing.  Jesus, standing on the shore, though the disciples did not yet recognize Him, asked if they had caught anything.  After they had answered, “No,” He told them to simply: “Cast the net on the right side of the ship,” with the promise, “…ye shall find.” (v. 6) Almost certainly because of a similar experience and circumstance with Jesus concerning fishing like this, they obeyed His voice.  They obeyed, and though they did not recognize who Jesus was on the shore, they were living by faith in God when they could not understand fully.

Dear Father, Strengthen us to believe Thee fully.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.