“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb…,” “…that confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers.” Isaiah 44:26
Why was the Spirit of God poured out at Pentecost upon all flesh? There is not doubt that it was not only a declaration of God to all of humanity, that “whosoever will may come,” and “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” but it was the power of God made available to the saved soul that God confirms that which is of Him. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters; He restoreth my soul.” (Ps. 23:2,3) In other words, the outpouring of the Spirit has a definite effect, a magnified effect, not only on a few, but potentially upon the whole world. With that outpouring, and the manifestation of the Spirit’s power, there is also the confirmation to the heart and spirit, that God is leading, providing, and protecting, as the soldier of Christ goes forward. Although every believer is a sheep, and Christ is the Shepherd, and at the same time, the sheep is a soldier, it is a wonderful truth that the Redeemer, the Almighty God, whose hand has been laid on every believer with the Spirit of God in the heart, is the One who confirms the way in which one should go. Whether in “green pastures beside still waters,” or in the midst of the spiritual conflict, and specific battles at hand, God’s ways do not change. The fact that He is His own WAY, is a wonderful testimony to the heart, that the confirmation that He gives, is not only a verbal approval, but the witness of His heart with that of the child of God. How then does He confirm to us His way, and the knowledge of His good and perfect will?
When the soul begins to seek God to know His perfect will, He does so by coming to the Father by way of the Son. It is on the basis of Christ’s precious blood shed on Calvary, the strengthening and revealing by the Spirit of God, that one can come to the throne of grace in the name of the Lord Jesus, in full assurance of faith. But here before the throne, what needs to transpire? The first thing is the true worship of the One seated on the throne of heaven, the Father, and also, the blessed Redeemer at His right hand. It is in coming to worship the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in Spirit and truth, that the Father rewards His child by giving him the assurance that he is accepted, and loved by the Father.
Secondly, there in that place of certain good, before the throne, knowing that the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin, and the Spirit of God strengthens one to truly believe, that the believer can look up and receive from on high all that the Father desires to give. The wisdom that the believer petitions God for is given in response to the prayer of faith. The specific needs laid before the Father, trusting the Spirit to guide in the presentation of them in faith, are responded to. How do we know? It is first and foremost because of the declaration of God in Christ, the objective word. Not only in James do we read of wisdom that will CERTAINLY be given, but in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we find written that, “…My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19) So, how does God confirm that He has given in response to prayer?
In Isaiah 55, we find that the Lord declares: “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace.” (v.12) The peace of the God of peace is not only an umpire to confirm God’s leading, but also, to give the discernment which way to choose. When He leads, he gives HIS peace.
Dear Father, Give us Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.