God made us spiritual beings with the capacity to hear His voice and be filled with His Spirit—and I am so glad for that! The reading in Proverbs for today begins with the words “…preserve sound judgment and discernment…they will be life for you.” Just because God can and does speak to His people, doesn’t mean that He does for every single decision. I am as big a proponent as anyone for hearing God’s voice, not despising prophecy, and living with a sense of expectation that God is going to speak with us, but sometimes we can think that living a life of godliness means that God makes all the decisions for us and tells us all the answers in advance. I know that there are moments when God would lead us specifically in everyday matters but by in large He doesn’t because God made us intelligent and able to discern what is good, right, and acceptable. If there is doubt, His Word will instruct us, and His Spirit will guide our steps even if there is no “grand revelation!” Just as parents don’t do their children’s homework, God doesn’t always give us the answers on a silver platter! The process of wrestling through an issue on an emotional, intellectual, relational, and spiritual level helps us to grow to become fully balanced people.
There were two life changing decisions that I sought the Lord about for which I did not get a direct answer from Him. 1) When I married my wife, and 2) When we moved to Dallas to be part of Hillcrest. On both occasions Teresa and I prayed and listened, prayed and listened, and prayed and listened. God did answer us, but it was not through the way I thought it would be—I thought I would hear big Voice telling me GO FOR IT! Rather I dated Teresa, we prayed, we sought godly counsel, we came to know each other’s character and spirit, and we came to the conclusion that this was God’s will for us. The decision to come to Dallas was much the same way: we got to know the church, sought godly counsel, felt peace, saw the open doors, and understood this was what God wanted us to do.
So how does this apply to my life today? What do we do when big decisions are before us and we need guidance?
1. Listen to the Lord and if He speaks directly into your circumstance, then do exactly as He says!
2. Walk through a godly process by seeking godly counsel, and be directed by a sense of peace from the Lord. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of God rule (lit. “umpire” or “arbitrate”) in your hearts.” If you don’t feel peace about it, then it is very likely that God is pointing another direction.
3. Apply biblical wisdom, sound practical judgment, and discernment. These things are every bit as godly as hearing from God Himself because when we do these things we are using the capabilities and faculties that He has given to us!
4. The Word of God promises that if we will commit our way to Him, then He will establish us, (Proverbs 16:3). Even if there is no Voice from Heaven, we can rest assured that God is still active in our situation and is helping guide us toward His will for our lives!
Blessings!
Pastor Kyle
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