This month we have been looking at the topic of “Hearing the Voice of God.” As we strive to hear God’s voice, we can be assured that he will be asking something of us. If we have the faith to seek him, actively listen, and then actually follow through and obey, life is then aligning itself with kingdom purposes.
Today I believe it is extremely important to make sure we emphasize the proper words in the theme for the month. Most of us will tend to emphasize HEARING the voice of God. Others might emphasize hearing the VOICE of God, but I submit to you that our emphasis needs to be on hearing the voice of GOD.
The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. — Isaiah 58:11
While the Bible never uses the word guidance, it does speak of a Guide. We may seek guidance, but God provides something better than guidance, he provides himself.
Many of us struggle to understand and discern God’s guidance for our lives. We ask questions like:
- Should I marry or not?
- Should I marry this person or that person?
- Should I have another child?
- Should I join this church or that one?
- Which profession should I follow?
- What job should I take?
- Is my present line of work the one to stay in?
Here lies the major distortion of knowing and doing God’s will. Does God lead and direct in these areas? Yes. Does he come out and overtly tell us what to do? Rarely.
So how does God guide us? Consider these principles:
- God’s guidance concerns itself more with our steps than our overall journey.
- God’s guidance is more preoccupied with the present than with the future.
- God’s guidance has less to do with geography and more to do with morality.
- God’s guidance is more interested in our character than our comfort.
- God’s guidance is not insider information.
- God’s guidance is that we pursue the Guide more than guidance.
In seeking God, his plan will be revealed. His way will be known through his Word. We need to know the Bible, but more importantly we need to know the Guide. God does not guide us magically; he guides us relationally. The Bible must be studied so we may become acquainted with the ways and thoughts of God. God’s aim is that we become his companions who walk with him on a journey. He already knows us. Now he wants us to understand and know him. The more we understand him, the more real our relationship will be with him and the more likely we are to keep in step with him in the direction he is taking us.
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