06112022 Guidance

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our wise God. It is wonderful that we don’t need to rely on our own wisdom but can instead rely on the One who knows infinitely more than we do.

A seventh category of God's blessing to His children is His guidance. God’s children are not left to make their own way. They do not have to use their own wisdom to make decisions. The course of their lives is not controlled by fate. Instead, they have divine guidance for their steps.

God leads and teaches His children. “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way” (Psalm 25:9). God leads His children justly and in right paths. “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). He teaches them His way, which will always be a good way and a way of protection, integrity, and blessing.

God's Word is an important part of this guidance. The Bible gives good and right counsel. “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (Psalm 119:24). The Bible gives warning against dangerous or unwise decisions. “Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11). Following the counsel of the Bible results in blessing and reward. Those who allow themselves to be guided by God's Word will reap the benefit of following God's path.

God Himself also gives counsel. God carefully and attentively counsels His children, giving them teaching and instruction to guide their every path. This counsel is personalized by a God who constantly and meticulously watches over His children. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).

Sometimes this counsel is through clear revelation of the Bible or a spiritual leader. Sometimes it is through the Holy Spirit’s ministry to an individual heart. Sometimes it is through the Spirit-influenced mind of a believer who has learned to filter his thoughts through the Bible; the thoughts that come to this type of man are worthy of careful consideration and attention. “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins [mind] also instruct me in the night seasons” (Psalm 16:7). Especially when a believer has prayed for guidance, he should be sensitive and alert to the ideas that might gradually work their way into his head or seemingly pop out of nowhere.

God's guidance of the believer never ends. He will faithfully guide day after day. He will counsel the Christian all the way through his last day. “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14). “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24). The believer never has to make it through a single day without God's counsel.

Sadly, the wicked have rejected the simplest of God's truth found in His word. As a result, they do not receive additional guidance and counsel from God. The way they have chosen will not guide them in right and good paths. “Like sheep they [the foolish] are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them [tend them like a flock or pasture them]” (Psalm 49:14). The guiding shepherd for the wicked is death, and this shepherd's guidance will continually lead in their paths in that abysmal direction.

Thank God for the blessing of His guidance. May you be very aware of it each day and night, in each situation that confronts you.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA