Guided by God
Scripture Reading — Numbers 9:15-23
God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14
The ancient Israelites had little trouble knowing where God wanted them to go next. They just kept an eye on the cloud and followed it. Today God is still God, and he has promised to guide his people always. Being guided by God is a tremendous privilege. But he no longer uses a cloud to lead us. So how can we understand God's will for choosing a career, buying a house, finding a spouse, or making other decisions?
First, before we commit to a career or marriage or make other major choices, we must make a commitment to Jesus. This commitment shapes all other decisions, so we must put it first. Next, we must be sure that the choices we consider are within the Bible's guidelines. This will eliminate certain options. The Bible clearly prohibits believers marrying non-Christians, choosing sleazy careers, or spending all their money on extravagant homes while giving nothing to God's work. It's never God's will to violate clear biblical teaching.
Even if we commit ourselves to Christ and study the Bible, however, certain decisions may not be clear. The Bible does not print out your spouse's name or your job or the address of the home you should buy. In making such decisions, pray for God's leading and be open to the inner promptings of his Spirit. Then trust him to guide and bless the decisions you make.
Thank you, Father, for guiding me. Lead me in the way of Jesus by your Holy Spirit. Help me to know your will in the decisions I face and to follow where you lead. Amen.
About the author — David Feddes
Dr. David Feddes is pastor of Family of Faith Church and provost of Christian Leaders Institute, which supports mentor-based ministry training through online courses. David is also adjunct missiologist for Crossroad Bible Institute, which provides biblical distance education to more than 40,000 people in prison. Previously he served as broadcast minister for the Back to God radio program, reaching people in more than fifty countries. David earned his Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL. He and his wife, Wendy, have nine children (one in heaven).
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