GUIDANCE

Nehemiah 9:19-21—Because of Your great compassion You did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. For forty years You sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

Absolutely fantastic! Imagine if you were a logistician responsible for feeding, clothing, sheltering, providing water plus directing over one million people through a harsh barren desert for forty years! Holy cow, I’d be more than a basket case. God provided manna I’d be a manniac! Yet, God perfectly outfitted and guided a nation that often resisted, complained, and misunderstood Him. His guidance was miraculous and inspiring. The Bible gives us a thorough resume of God’s accomplishments in the leadership arena!

Do you ever wonder how you might go about finding God’s will for your life?

George Mueller daily sought God’s leading and intervention. This 19th century Englishman was led by the Lord to build four orphanages that provided care for over 10,000 children. The humble pastor distributed over $8,000,000 dollars that God provided! His recipe for obtaining heavenly help is timeless and Biblical.

1. Beginning with prayer, Mueller sincerely sought God’s direction.
2. With patience and reflection he waited on God to give him instruction (whether through godly people or circumstances).
3. He relied upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture that would guide him.
4. He learned that if he lacked honesty, lived improperly, was impatient in waiting on God, and preferred the counsel of men over the Bible, mistakes were sure to follow.
5. Once he possessed a sound peace that he was in line with God’s will he proceeded to act.

What could be more awesome than to have God as our guide! Moses proclaimed, “In your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling” (Exodus 15:13). May God teach us how to be faithful in following Him--for His glory and our sure footing! “Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long” (Psalm 25:4,5).

Inspiration
Never run before God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt—don’t.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest