Listening to the Holy Spirit:
You are not your own – bought with My blood, and guided now by My Spirit. Do not fear tomorrow. All is in My command and strength. Never have you been able to see. Security in prediction, but never assured. My eyes see all tomorrows, and your eyes see not even today in its entirety. The days of past are not understood by even the wise of the earth. Greater and grander is your path in My leading. Follow where I call you, and your way will be of the highest. You will still have little prediction, but security, that I go before you. Follow My way and you will not be lost, even though you do not see. Obey My Word, and your steps will bring My will, a plan great with peace and nearness to Me. In your own stumblings and will, is far more difficulty. In My hand you are free of worry, and the path is made smooth to My heart for you as My creation.
Heb 13:20-21 (ESV) – Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
John 8:12 (ESV) – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Proverbs 3:6 (ESV) – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Taking It to Work:
Sometimes, I think I just “know”. I remember one time checking auctions for items needed for my business. After months of looking, I found an auction that had all five of the items I was looking for. It was a slam dunk. I quickly registered for the auction, and before I began to bid, I felt the Lord ask me if I wanted to know if He thought this auction was one I should participate in. Well, in my gut I knew He was saying I shouldn’t, but I was so excited, and had so much mental momentum in that direction, I just ignored the prompting, brushing it off as my imagination.
Well, I won all five items, at a great price, including a pickup truck I needed. I flew two my sons out to California to get the items, and then the fun began. They barely made it home. Without going into details, every last item I won had something missing, broken or worn to point I couldn’t use them. Even the pickup truck never ran right. Tried to have it fixed a half dozen times…I finally gave it away.
I find it curious that, if I am not careful, I am more apt to follow my own intuition than to ask and follow God’s guidance. Although, I profess to trust God, and admit to Him being the all-knowing Guide in my life, my first inclination is to think my way through on my own, and pray after I get myself into a pickle.
Of course, that is not the right approach, and of course, I know I’m not alone. The significant decisions of the day should be given to Him upfront, and then real-time as they emerge along the way through the day. This is where we all want to be, but most days, we simply are too confident in our own abilities, so we neglect to stop and ask for His directions.
So today’s devotional is our reminder. Read carefully and prayerfully the rest of the devotional. As you enter into our work day, ask for His guidance, especially the decisions that could have long-term consequences. There’s really no slam dunks. He alone knows the best path forward. You need His leading, as His Word works in you, today.
