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He is your God forever and ever, And He will guide you, until you are with Him forever. For this is God; our God forever and ever. He will be our guide, even to death. [Psalm 48:14] The God who has led you thus far, will lead and guide you all the days of your life. It is the promise of God that comes to you, at the beginning of this month. And as a man of God has set forth with clarity – the Bible is God’s plan, your conscience is your compass, and the Holy Spirit is your personal guide. It goes to ensure your resources, that assure you of the guidance of God that is always there, all through your earthly journey, until the very end. And it comes to you, through a relationship with God, as your Father; for, those who are led by the Spirit, are called the sons of God.
The key therefore, in being led by Him is looking at Him and relating to Him, as your Heavenly Father. A Father who being the Almighty God, who knows all that you will ever need in your life, the guidance and decision making that will ever come your way as you travel life’s path, desiring to know and do His will in your life. And through His guidance, God desires to lead you in ways such as these, From fear to a place of faith; From frustration to a place of fruitfulness; and, From indifference to a place of intimacy, in relationship with Him.
Moving from fear to faith:
Fear involves torment, that can cripple and paralyze you; and it becomes so very relevant in the present environment, when man is clueless in combating a virus, other than to remain in a position of unending lock down, which has it’s own pitfalls spiritually, economically and socially. Fear is so very real, and also needs to be addressed and overcome in God’s way in order for it to be effective and lasting. Mere cosmetic and superficial jargon that soothes your mind for a short while is never going to be the answer. And how thankful you and I ought to be, for the fact that God’s answer to fear, His guidance in such a situation is very simple. It is not denying the fear that can even now try and trouble you, but to turn to the Lord when you are afraid, to the God is love and whose perfect love casts out fear. The psalmist David no doubt had courageously won victories over an attacking lion and a bear. But he also has very honestly admitted that he was not fearless all the time, to go on to clearly advocate what you can do in such a situation, in order to be set free. Whenever I am afraid I will trust in thee… [Psalm 56:3] It is what will set you free from the shackles of fear, which is a powerful tool of the enemy, one that the evil one can subtly and malevolently use with great effectiveness, to stop you in your tracks, from progressing in the path of the Lord. It is the truth that He speaks to you through His word, that gives you freedom and liberty. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! And it is also for a purpose.
From frustration to fruitfulness:
He is forever your God; not one to give up halfway, or give up on you when things do not seem very bright, when forecasts concerning work and livelihood in the near future do not guarantee any confidence in you, but rather only fill you with anxiety. His desire is not that you may languish in the present discouraging circumstances, but that you may prosper and be fruitful in doing the will of God, instead. And it all becomes possible, as it did in Isaac’s life, who even in a time of famine, sowed and reaped a hundredfold, by the Spirit of Truth in you, who leads you into all truth. For, in abiding and being enabled by the Spirit of God, you will not be filled with frustration at the lack of opportunities all around, but instead will be led in avenues that yield a good return for your sincere work. You will prosper, in having all that you need in order to fulfill the will of God for your life.
From indifference or ignorance to intimacy with God:
For, it is in doing the will of God that you will find true fulfillment in life, no matter how daunting it may seem in the present scenario. And it is in a living and intimate relationship with God as your Father, led by the Spirit of truth in you that it becomes possible. For even as the apostle Paul has so very eloquently described his own personal experience, one that you and I can so very well relate to, there is always a challenge within your mind. [Romans 7:19-25] The good that you want to do, is always in conflict with the evil, or the law of sin that is still at work within you. And given half a chance, it will dominate your mind to make you do what is not pleasing and right in the sight of God. ‘O wretched man that I am; who will rescue me from this body of death?’ is the very honest cry that comes forth from him, to be answered also by him, in a glorious manner, I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans 7:25]
It is for this that Christ has set you free; the freedom to choose to do the will of God, with the enabling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, in fellowship that is intimate, personal and loving. He remains forever, your caring guide, revealing to you the counsel of your God, who is your God forever. He is never going to leave or forsake you. You can rest in the love that He has lavished upon you, to call you His child, all through your life, not just this present month, but every day of your life, until the very end.
Knowing the truth:
‘You shall know the truth; and the truth shall set you free’. [John 8:32] They are the words of Christ who comes into your life to give you freedom, to be set free. And it is in knowing the truth, that you are set free; a ‘knowing’ that implies much more than a casual reading of God’s word, in which is recorded all the truth that the Holy Spirit leads you to. It is about meditating and abiding or obeying it in whatever area that it speaks to you. And it is what frees you, to walk in the good and perfect will of God, even in a time of famine, when all doors are shut. Therefore, whatever your need may be, even if it is one that is causing fear and anxiety in you, and fear is certainly rising in the world, where it has boiled down to a question of life and death, you need to know what the truth of God’s word says about it, in order to believe and apply it in your life, so that you may overcome it.
A reservoir of God’s word is what needs to be built up in you, in the coming days, that you may also know it, to be set free. It is the word in you that will see you overcome the world, and it’s hidden dangers, a world that lies under the sway of the evil one. As the apostle John has written, I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you; and you have overcome the wicked one. [1 John 2:14] And it is also the truth that it is through His word, that God guides you to do His will for your life. You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. [Psalm 119:68] It is the honest plea of the psalmist. And when this is your prayer, He will certainly answer you. You will hear Him through His word, to lead and guide you.
1. Guided – by His word in season:
You may be at the crossroads of life, needing to make vital decisions, contemplating the course of your future; and to many this unexpected and prolonged lock down is itself one such scenario. But in your decisive moments, you will never be lost or confused. For He will certainly guide you through His word that comes to you in season, and it will be in a manner that you can never misunderstand. He is your Creator and Heavenly Father, who knows how to communicate to you! It is what the prophet describes, saying, Your ears shall hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it, Whenever you turn to the right hand; or when you turn to the left’. [Isaiah 30:21] Even when life is difficult and seems to be one of endless inconveniences that trouble you, He will never desert you. He will encircle you and care for you, and in love, keep you as the apple of His eye.
It is how Moses describes in the scriptures, the manner in which God’s guidance came to Israel, He found him in a desert land, and in the waste land, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him; He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up it’s nest, hovering over it’s young; Spreading out it’s wings, taking them up, Carrying them on it’s wings; So the Lord alone led him; there was no foreign God with him. [Deuteronomy 32:10-12] This is indeed your God even today, in His care and love for you. And even when you are disturbed out of your comfort zone, your safe nest, it is only that you may mount up on your wings to fly. For, as beautifully described in the imagery above, He hovers over you as an eagle spreading it’s wings to carry you. He will never let you fall. He will always be your guide.
2. Guided – continually:
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought; and strengthen your bones. And like a watered garden; a spring of water whose waters do not fail. [Isaiah 58:11] God’s guidance is continual, as He watches over your path. He will keep His eye upon you to counsel you and lead you. [Psalm 32:8] Thus when you are about to stray and take a wrong path, His voice through His word will keep you from it. And, in today’s climate, when the people of the world around you are troubled with the fear of the unknown, not knowing what path to take. you can be at rest knowing that your God will certainly lead and guide you to bring satisfaction in you and strengthen your bones, to keep you fit and well. When the Lord is your Shepherd, you will not be in want, even in scorched places. It is the promise of God to you.
3. Guided – in scorched places:
Scorched places, or a land of drought, depicts inadequacy that crops up in every person’s life at some point or the other, in some realm or the other, for it is a fallen world. But as your eyes are fixed upon the Lord, He will lead you to be fruitful even in such a season, and bear fruit without anxiety. Isaac, in a time of famine, as he stayed in the will of God, sowed and reaped a hundred fold. The blessed guidance of God, who is your God forever, will see you realize your full potential too, to bring satisfaction in you. And may you be guided by God in the coming days of this month, in the midst of challenges and uncertainties, to be as described by the prophet Jeremiah, He will be like a tree planted by the waters; Which spreads out it’s roots by the river; And will not fear when heat comes; But it’s leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. [Jeremiah 17:8]
Rooted – in the word:
Even as you put your trust in Him, and the incorruptible seed of His word, and not in your own strength, He will make you strong. God will bless your food and water, to remove all sickness and disease from you. He will strengthen your bones that you may stand upright, and not bowed down by the fear and discouragement, that is all pervasive, owing to something that seems to be spreading silently, only to cause harm. But when the Lord is your refuge, and you are shielded in the shelter of His wings, no harm will come near you. Indeed you will progress to bear fruit without anxiety, as He guides you in the right direction, to the right destination, and blesses the work of your hands. You will remain fruitful, fresh and green, when you are rooted and planted by the waters of God’s word, meditating upon it day and night. And it is to a place of rest and restoration that restores your soul that He will lead you. For, He is your God and your good Shepherd.
4. Guided – to restoration:
And as your Shepherd, He will lead you to rest without stress, to lie down beside quiet waters, the water of His word, that restores your soul, bringing peace within you. Restoration of all that is lacking or broken in your life, comes to you in the path of righteousness that He guides you. For, a bruised reed, He will not break; And a dimly burning wick, He will not snuff out. Instead He will care for it, to transform it to one that is beautified by salvation, and will rekindle the dying embers, that it may become a glowing torch, so that shines ever so brightly. To the one who is weary and heavy burdened, it is the Lord’s very open invitation, ‘Come to Me…and I will give you rest’. [Matthew 11:22] He alone can give you the true rest that strengthens and satisfies you. The prophet Joel gives a vivid picture of the manner in which it will all come to pass in your life, under the guidance of the God who is your God forever. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied; And praise the Name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. ‘And My people shall never be put to shame’. [Joel 2:26]
Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, entrusted with the task of finding the right bride for Isaac, knew the overwhelming responsibility of it all. But, trusting in the Lord, in prayer, he was fruitful and satisfied at the end of his journey to be able to say that that the Lord God had led him in a straight path; one that involved no tiring deviations, but directly to the right place where he would prosper in what he was looking for. And it is how the Lord who has led you thus far, in the midst of unforeseen challenges, will guide and lead you. He will guide you rightly and directly, so that your needs are abundantly met. For, the rest of the world may be running around in circles at present, but what is impossible with man is possible with God. And it is how He is going to deal wondrously with you, this month, and in the coming days of your life. As His child, you will never be put to shame! You could have exhausted all your resources in this troubled season, when everything seems to be limited and scarce, but He will intervene to lead you in the right path in order to bear fruit, and be satisfied and fulfilled, having peace within you.
And HE is walking with you!:
It is the most wonderful part of the Lord’s guidance, in every stage of your life, in your highs and in your lows. This God, who is your God, is not a remote, impersonal God, who directs you from afar. He is a loving and caring God who is with you never to leave you or forsake you. And He walks together with you, to lead and guide you. Let this beautiful truth bring comfort and joy unspeakable within you! On the Emmaus road, the two disciples walked in this truth, to experience a miraculous transformation. They were bowed down and dejected as they began their journey, trudging along in weary slowness, for Christ had been crucified, and they thought they had no future, or a hope. And it was then that the Risen Lord Himself approached them, to walk with them, at their own pace, wearily slow though their steps would have been. [Luke 24:15] But He was explaining the scriptures to them, and the power of the truth of God’s word, began to transform them, and their hearts were no longer like a dimly burning wick, but began to burn like fire, as they acknowledged later on. They were walking then, together with Him, in the powerful swiftness of His word.
Today, embittered by life’s pressures, you too maybe walking slowly and wearily, wondering what the future holds for you. But take heart in knowing that the loving Lord is walking with you. And as He becomes your wisdom, understanding and power, you will be filled with divine strength, through the power of His word, His word that runs swiftly. It will see you becoming fruitful, even as He takes you by your hand, to lift you up, to stand upon the rock. He will carry you, hold you and deliver you, to take you to the other side, the good destination that He has ordained for you. May you experience this sufficiency of His amazing and overwhelming grace, in the coming days, and all the days of your life, as He guides you every step of the way, to fulfill His plan for your life. For, this is your God, forever and ever.
In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
