Guidance

Meditation
Nehemiah 9:19-21--You did not abandon them in the wilderness because of Your great compassion. During the day the pillar of cloud never turned away from them, guiding them on their journey. And during the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go. You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. You provided for them in the wilderness 40 years and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.

Absolutely fantastic!  Imagine if you were a logistician responsible for feeding, clothing, sheltering, providing water plus directing over one million people through a harsh barren desert for forty years!  Holy cow, I’d be more than a basket case.  God provided manna I’d be a manniac!  Yet, God perfectly outfitted and guided a nation that often resisted, complained, and misunderstood Him.  His guidance was miraculous and inspiring.  The Bible gives us a thorough resume of God’s accomplishments in the leadership arena!

Do you ever wonder how you might go about finding God’s will for your life?  

1. George Mueller daily sought God’s leading and intervention.  This 19th century Englishman was led by the Lord to build four orphanages that provided care for over 10,000 children.  The humble pastor distributed over $8,000,000 dollars that God provided!  His recipe for obtaining heavenly help is timeless and Biblical.  
2. Beginning with prayer, Mueller sincerely sought God’s direction. 
3. With patience and reflection he waited on God to give him instruction (whether through godly people or circumstances).
4. He relied upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture that would guide him. 
5. He learned that if he lacked honesty, lived improperly, was impatient in waiting on God, and preferred the counsel of men over the Bible, mistakes were sure to follow.
6. Once he possessed a sound peace that he was in line with God’s will he proceeded to act.  

What could be more awesome than to have God as our guide!  Moses proclaimed, “You will lead the people You have redeemed with Your faithful love; You will guide them to Your holy dwelling with Your strength” (Exodus 15:13). May God teach us how to be faithful in following Him--for His glory and our sure footing!  “Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long” (Psalm 25:4,5).
 
Inspiration
Never run before God’s guidance.  If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding.  Whenever there is doubt—don’t.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest
 
©1999 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)