Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

One of the ways in which God shows us kindness is by helping us discern what is best.  In seeking God’s leading, I find it helpful to keep in mind three “takes.”

Take Heart

God is a guiding God.  All through the Bible he guides his people.  He’s the God of the pillar of fire and the column of smoke, leading his people step by step through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21).  He’s also the God of the "Urim and Thummim," a mysterious source of direct divine guidance (see Exodus 28:28–30, Numbers 27:21, and 1 Samuel 23:9-12).  And he guides his people in New Testament times too, as seen in the Book of Acts.  If we pray for wisdom, and if we truly acknowledge him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6), we can be confident that he will honor his promise to make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Take Advice

Other people know the Bible better than we do, and perhaps they also know us better than we know ourselves.  Proverbs 20:18 says "Make plans by seeking advice."  So to make significant plans without seeking advice is dangerously unwise.  When asking people for advice, don't go to flattering friends who'll say what you want to hear (Proverbs 29:5).  Ask people from different churches and different backgrounds, ask old and young, ask people who’d be upset if you didn't ask them.  Proverbs 3:5-6, which speaks of God making our paths straight, is probably the most famous passage on guidance in the whole Bible.  But the very next verse is relevant too: "Do not be wise in your own eyes" (3:7).

Take Your Time

Putting the first two "takes" into practice requires time.  Proverbs 21:5 says "haste leads to poverty," and hasty decision-making often leads to poor outcomes that could have been avoided.  Sometimes the slow unfolding of God's purposes makes us impatient.  We can rush into a decision just because we want the waiting to end.  But instead of seeking to control God’s timing, we should honor it by proceeding at the pace he allows.

These three “takes” may sound rather ordinary and unimpressive.  But by the grace of God, they’re life-changing.

Yours in Christ,

Bernard

Recommended reading: "Thou Our Guide" (a chapter on guidance in Knowing God by J.I. Packer)