DIVINE GUIDANCE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 10, 2019.

SUBJECT: DIVINE GUIDANCE!

Memory verse: "At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses." (Numbers 9 vs 23.)

READ: Matthew 2 vs 13 - 15; 19 - 21:

2:13: Now when they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I you word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.”

2:14: When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt,

2:15: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son.”

2:19: Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
2:20: saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead.”
2:21: Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

INTIMATION:

Divine is used of the power of God, and of His nature; as that which proceeds from Himself. To guide is to lead the way. Therefore, divine guidance is being guided by God. He has a purpose for everything created by Him including you and I. He lives us with a choice—to be guided or not to be guided by Him. If you are willing to be guided by Him, and is obedient to His instructions, He will lead you on the right path to His predetermined purposes for your life. When you follow God’s guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you’re moving or staying in one place. 

Divine guidance comes only to prepared hearts. In our memory verse, the children of Israel, through their leader, Mose, was guided by God in the wilderness. They moved when God commands them to move, and encamped when they are instructed to do so: “They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses." 

In the same manner, Joseph, in the passage we read today, also had a prepared heart to receive divine guidance from the Lord. Joseph had the first dream or vision from God, and God revealed to him that Mary’s child would be the Messiah (Matthew 1 vs 20 - 21) and that her conception was divine. And he took Mary in as his wife even when she was only betrothed to him when she got pregnant. His second dream told him how to protect the child’s life. Although Joseph was not Jesus’ natural father, he was Jesus’ legal father and was responsible to His safety and well-being. Joseph remained receptive to God’s guidance. 

How do we receive God’s guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God’s primary guidance system is in His Word—the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s Word. By reading the Bible and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God’s direction for our lives. When we are willing to seek God, learn from His Word, and obey His commands, then we will receive His specific guidance. 

We often pray for God’s guidance as we struggle with decisions. What we need is both a map that gives us directions and a constant companion who has an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible is such a map, and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion and guide. As you make your way through life, use both the map and your Guide.

For children of God, guided by Him, there are no coincidence in happenings in our lives. Events do not occur by luck or coincidence. We should have faith that God is directing our lives for His purpose as the Scripture says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8 vs 28.) As you go about your daily tasks, God is working in your life in ways you may not even notice. We must not close the door on what God can do. Stop now and think about the events in your life leading up to where you are now. How has God led you to this point? As you grow older, you will look back and see God’s involvement more clearly than you do now.

God may use unexpected sources when communicating to us. It can be people, thoughts, or experiences. Be willing to investigate, and be open to God’s surprises. When God leads you, He will not ask you to go where He has not provided the means to help. Go where He leads, trusting Him to supply courage, confidence, and resources  at the right moment. 

An instance of divine guidance is recorded in Acts 8 vs 26 - 40. The Scripture tells the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasury, who came to worship in Jerusalem. An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” At the time Philip was having a successful preaching ministry to great crowds in Samaria (Acts 8 vs 5 - 8), but he obediently left that ministry to travel on a desert road. Because Philip went where God sent him, Ethiopia was opened up to the gospel. Because the eunuch was in charge of the treasury of Ethiopia, this man’s conversion brought Christianity into the power structures of another government. Ethiopia is located in Africa south of Egypt. 

This event marked the beginning of the witness “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1 vs 8), and in line with the prophesy in Isaiah 56 vs 3 - 8 for words about foreigners and eunuchs. Follow God’s leading, even if it seems like a demotion. At first you will not understand His plans, but the results will prove that God’s way is right. 

Prayer: Abba Father, show me the path prepared for my life that I may walk in it, that I may achieve the purpose for which You brought me into this world, and receive the crown of life—eternal life with You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!