
How to know God's
will
We are not talking about daily behaviour, or the problems
of the daily lives that we live at the moment.
- We are talking about the question of GUIDANCE.
- Even a Christian living a godly daily-life faces such
problems as :-
- should I change my job?
- does the Lord want me to be a missionary?
- should I marry him/her?
- where should I live?
- We can expect God to guide us, He has a plan
for us.
- He planned to bring the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, so
guided them on the journey. Exodus 13:21-22.
- He planned to bring them from Babylon to their homeland, so
guided them again - see Ezra and Nehemiah.
- He planned before the foundation of the world, to bring us
safely to heaven. 2 Thess 2:13-17.
- It is not possible that we should go without
guidance on our journey
- The Bible contains many examples of definite
guidance.
- Philip was sent to the Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:26
- Peter was told to accept Cornelius' invitation - Acts
10:19-20
- Paul & Barnabas wcre sent out as missionaries - Acts
13:2, 16:6-10
- Paul was told to stay in Corinth - Acts 18:9
- God is no respecter of persons
- It is not possible that we should go without
guidance.
- God promises to guide us.
- Psalm 25:9-12, 32:8. Isaiah 58:11, Romans 12:1-2.
- Other Bible truths lead us to expect guidance.
- We are God's children. Matthew 7:11
- We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit - 1 John 2:20, 27, Acts
15:28.
- God seeks to glorify Himself in our lives - Psalm 23:3
- YES - guidance is a reality.
- it is intended for and promised to, every Christian.
- There is a wrong way and a right
way to seek this guidance.
- The wrong way
- to think that because no Bible text can settle a matter, God
will guide us through our feelings.
- this often leads people to claim God's guidance for actions
which the Word of God actually forbids.
- The right way
- Live a godly life of the sort previous talks have dealt
with.
- Prayerfully think ! God expects us to use our mind. 2 Tim
1:7
- We can receive heavenly wisdom as we pray. James 1:5-7.
- Think ahead - where will this road lead to? Deut 32:29
- Take advice ! Proverbs 12:15. But test this advice 1 Thess
5:21.
- Suspect yourself. WHY do you 'feel' a certain course of
action is right?
- Make Psalm 139:23-24 a constant prayer
- Be willing to wait. "Wait on the Lord".
- We walk by faith, not sight. God only usually
reveals one step at a time.
- Some other things we should know.
- Only those who are willing to be guided ORDINARILY can
expect to be guided EXTRAORDINARILY.
- God is not a jester. Those who really want to DO His will
always come to KNOW what it is, John 7:17.
- God is merciful. When we miss the way, He even brings good
out of that) to those who love Him. Romans 8:28.
"This God
is our God for ever and ever, He will be our guide even unto death". Psalm 48:14.