Dear Ones:
How do we know the “way in which we should go, ” from God’s perspective? How can we be sure? What is the seal, and confirmation upon that choice of direction? How do we know that God is in it? If there is one thing that we all wrestle with, it is this issue of “direction,” and “assurance. To start to answer this question, let us be assured of this truth: God is far more concerned, and committed, to us understanding the way than we could ever be. This is simply because He is perfect love, and can desire nothing less.
The whole subject begins with the consideration of a “rudder.” The rudder is that mechanism on a boat which determines the course of the vessel. In essence, the rudder guides. The “rudder” in our case is the Lord Himself. The total reliance upon our Everlasting and Ever-loving “Rudder” must be paramount. After all, He is sovereign, and all-mighty, for whom NOTHING is impossible or too hard. The question needs to be asked: Can we be sure that He will guide us? The problem with guidance is never from God, but from us. He has declared through the Apostle Paul, “Faithful is He who calls you who also WILL do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24) We are the ones who are our greatest problem…for we often get in the way of the Lord, and are an obstacle to Him to lead us. With our preferences and prejudices, we are so easily led astray to our “own way,” leaning unto our own understanding. Jesus once said, “If any man is WILLING, he shall know…” (Jn. 7:17) If God is to BE our rudder, not in just name only, then our wills need to be submitted to Him. What was it that David Livingstone wrote? “Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me…” I once knew a man who, during World War II, was in the hold of a ship which was being fired upon by the enemy. He told the Lord that if He got him out alive, and gave him four sons, he would serve Him all of his life. Well, the Lord saved him out of that dangerous situation, and gave him four sons…no daughters. The man served the Lord all of his life. Here is commitment, and a willingness to follow…and the proof of God’s faithfulness.
In Psalm 32:8, the Lord promises to instruct us and to teach us in the way we should go. When we seek Him, His kingdom and the doing of His will, we can be assured that as we trust Him to speak to us through His word, and direct the circumstances of our lives, He will do exactly what He says. In the process of being “guided” David writes: “I (God) will guide thee with Mine eye.” This is wonderful. His guidance is very personal and real. As His eye is upon the sparrow, so He is looking upon us.
Lastly, how do we know that He is guiding? The Spirit of God has been given to us, not only to teach and to guide, but to witness to our spirits, to convince us, to persuade us of the will of God. The great “seal” of His direction is the peace of God, the very peace of Christ. If we are willing to see, to know His will, and to follow Him whenever, however, to trust Him for what ever, He is willing to convince us of His open door and direction, confirming all with the gift of His peace….a peace not of this world, but of Him.
Guidance is personal, between God and the individual heart. And yet, because of the Spirit of God that dwells in believers, He confirms it to other believer’s hearts also who are walking with the Lord. Herein is another confirmation. “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you.” (Is. 52:13)
Love, Dad