First of all, what is guidance? One definition is: to assist a person to travel through, or reach a destination.
With today’s technology, we can get our guidance from our phones, iPads, and computers; from our cars, trucks, and buses; and from our trains, airplanes, and boats. GPS systems can map a path through land, air, and sea GPS.
But Scripture tells of God’s guiding His people through all kinds of circumstances.
The Holy Bible says in Exodus 13:21, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night”
Both David and Isaiah describe God affectionately as a shepherd (Psalms 23, Isaiah 40:11), and Micah prophesied about Jesus, “He will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength” (Micah 5:1).
The Bible’s message is comforting and clear: Our heavenly Father cares deeply about the intimate details of our lives.
The Holy Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Yet with all of the instances of God leading in scripture, the prayers for guidance and direction are relatively few.
The Holy Bible talks about guidance once again, and it says in the Book of John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
Haddon Robinson writes, “It’s surprising to note that nowhere in the Old Testament, the teachings of Jesus or the New Testament epistles do we see any description of a step-by-step process by which we can determine God’s will.” There’s a reason for this.
God’s guidance stems from our relationship with Him.
Our shepherd wants to feed us, carry us in His arms, hold us close to His heart, and gently lead us.
We are to pray continually because it’s impossible to discern God’s leading in our lives without prayer.
As with prayers about everyday needs, the Bible’s prayers for guidance and direction are relational prayers. Relational prayer doesn’t just seek God’s will—it seeks His face as well.
Relational prayer puts us in a place where the Lord can help us discover His leading with deep obedience and love.
God reminded his people through Isaiah, “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength” (30:15).
Fresh strength flows into us as we pray and wait before Him in His Word.
Our Shepherd wants us near Him, especially when we don’t know which road to take. Amen!
As I close:
The Holy Bible talks about guiding again and it says in the Book of Psalm 43:3-4,
“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!”
The Holy Bible talks about guiding and directing once again in the Book of Proverbs 3:5-7 and it says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Amen!
