Guidance and Hope

Psalm 23:4-5 (NLT)

"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings."

What better place to look for guidance, for hope, for direction than the very one who died on the cross for our sins. I can think of no other individual who has the most infinite amounts of knowledge, to whom I would wish to seek advice from. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Who is better qualified? Where can we find his guidance?

1. His WORD:
Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
"Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."

The Bible says that his word will guide us, being the most true written word. Inspired by God himself, what better handbook to guide our choices and decisions than this?

2. The SPIRIT:
1 Corinthians 2:13 (NLT)
"When we tell you this we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths."

God uses the Holy Spirit to communicate to Christians his will and his way. He does this through spiritual gifts such as prophecy and tongues and interpretation. The Holy Spirit is one of the strongest messengers of God's will for our lives.

3. God's VOICE:
Genesis 12:1-9
"The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your descendants. And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.""

God spoke directly to Abram and told him exactly what to do and what his reward for following God's call would be. God speaks directly to us if we just listen for his still, small voice.

Reflection:
I was once told that if my walk with God was where it needed to be I wouldn't be confused about what to do, God would show me and speak to me directly. It was only a matter of me opening my ears and taking the mud from my eyes and listening and seeing God's plan for my life.