Deuteronomy 26:14
“I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.”
We’ve dealt with avoiding the sin addressed in the bible and enjoying the freedom once we avoid those. Today we’ll address responding to the guidance God gives us.
Romans 10:9 is a famous salvation verse, ‘that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’ To receive forgiveness, we submit to His lordship. We all do that somewhat naively, as we will have a lifetime of choices ahead that we are unaware of.
We already addressed the commands to be obeyed in scripture. What The Lord wants to do is guide us in our daily lives. Romans 8:14 calls it being led by the Spirit. This might seem concerning, but it’s wonderful.
How does the Spirit lead us? Not by fear, but as a beloved Father. Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'” If fear and guilt are present, that’s not the Spirit.
God’s impressions leave us with peace. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If a decision is stressful and anxiety ridden, it may not be of God. Try to pause it and pray.
God guides through open and closed doors. Acts 16:6-10 portrays Paul and his team going about their travels. They had decided to go to Asia until, “having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia”. Then they changed directions and attempted to enter Bythinia, then “the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” Finally, Paul had a dream in which a man told him to come to Macadonia. They would pray, then go in the direction they thought the most prudent. Sometimes God opened the door, other times it was closed.
This is exciting to have God lead us. We can set goals. Just make them with a prayerful attitude and be open to His leading. Don’t get too invested in an idea.
Lord, thanks for Your loving guidance. Help us to trust You in the process.