“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
Scripture reading: Proverbs 3:1-12
Last time we discussed God’s guidance. Today you will read scenarios of people who “received guidance” and see if you agree with them.
Scenario: When Annie woke up, she prayed asking God if she should get out of bed. He said yes, so she did. Then she asked if she should put her right shoe on, He said yes, but said no to her left shoe. She wore one shoe for the rest of the day. There are two major errors here: Annie did not use Scripture when “hearing” from God. Also, not every moment requires guidance from God.
Scenario: When visiting a friends’ house, Mark noticed a large amount of money left out. Immediately, Haggai 2:8 came to Mark’s mind, “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, declares the LORD,” so Mark took the money. Later, he put it in the church offering. The error here is that God’s guidance will not lead His children to violate His law; therefore, Mark was not guided by God to steal. Carefully discern Scripture as a whole.
Scenario: Brooke’s parents reminded her to clean the cat litter, a job she disliked. However, this time she recalled a verse she memorized, Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord.” She immediately obeyed her parents and smiled while doing the chore. This is often how God’s guidance works. When we regularly focus our minds on Scripture, God’s Spirit prompts us to obey His will in specific situations, making us more like Christ.
Suggestions for prayer
Ask for wisdom from God to discern His will for your life. Ask for a heart that loves His word.
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com