WEDNESDAY'S WORD - GUIDANCE - 06/13/18 Sadell Bradley - New Life Covenant Cincinnati

 

"I don't have the strength or wisdom to get through a single day without guidance and grace from God."- Coach Tony Dungy

 

Guide me, Oh, Thou Great Jehovah! Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty. Hold me with Thy powerful hand. What great lyrics from hymn writer William Williams. It is difficult to foray into the unknown. We'd love to have a map for our lives that gives us step by step direction to our destination.  But God does it more like GPS, turn by turn with relocating when there's an accident or issue.  Sometimes the guidance of God takes us on a longer, more time consuming route because the wreck ahead is dangerous.  Sometimes God alerts us to a shorter way that avoids the trouble, if we'll choose to take it. GUIDANCE is advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty, especially as given by someone in authority; or the directing of the motion or position of something. In these times, we ALL could use the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Much discussion is happening over the recent political summit. It is interesting that missiles are one of the things noted on the definition of guidance. Even more thought-provoking is what the Bible says about guidance with reference to nations waging war. "Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance." (Proverbs 20:18)  "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." (Proverbs 11:14) "So don't go to war without wise guidance: victory depends on having many advisers." (Proverbs 24:6) War has the potential for so many casualties...it is important to obtain counsel before engaging in conflict. This is as true for individuals as it is for nations.    

 

Deciding WHERE or TO WHOM to go to receive guidance is crucial. Though he had the prophet Samuel at his right hand, the Bible says that king Saul chose another means other than God to obtain advice, "Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." (1 Chronicles 10:14) It is unfortunate that so many 'Christians' refuse to pray first, and rely on the world's wisdom, horoscopes, ouija boards, etc. to guide them versus the Word of God, the Holy Spirit or prophetic gifts like Word of Wisdom or Word of Knowledge. We put our trust more in men than in God.   

   

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance." (Proverbs 1:5) It is comforting to know that when we arrive at a crossroads and don't know what to do, God is there to give us guidance. In fact, the LORD specifically promises that guidance is an area He will take care of personally, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8) Comforting words that are really needed right about now.