DIVINE LEADING AND GUIDANCE

TEXT: Genesis 24:12-14, 26-27, 48

Songs:

1) Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true… There is a race I must run, there are victories to be won, give me power, every hour to be true;

2) The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is to follow;

3) For this God, is our God, forever and ever, He will be our Guide, from now even unto the end (Psalms 48:14)

Key Texts: Gen 24:12-14, 26-27, 48; Ps 32:8; Ex 33:14-15; Prov 14:12, 16:25; I Chron 10:13-14; I Sam 30:6-8;

II Sam 2:1 (Memory Verse); Hab 2:1-2

INTRODUCTION: Last week, during the teaching on Part 1 of the series, we were told the following:

1. Divine leading and guidance is about being led/directed/guided by God

2. That being led or guided by God is important for every true child of God

3. That being led or guided by God is the only way to fulfil His will concerning our desires and decision-making processing.

4. We were taught 7 different avenues for Divine leading & guidance (Through: the word of God, witness of the Holy Spirit, voice of the Holy Spirit, revelations, ordained situations or circumstances, prophetic utterances & confirmations and diverse means as God may deem fit)

5. We were also taught 3 ways of recognising Divine Leading and Guidance namely: Get familiar with the word of God, Test with the word of God, Pray without ceasing).

Today, we will be looking at Part 2 on the series, focusing on Biblical examples of those who yielded to God’s leading and guidance, and of course the end result of their obedience to God.

It is a known fact that the world we live in today, considers the ways of God as primordial/ ancient, and that is why most people will not submit themselves to God’s ordinances. But every true Child of God must however learn to submit to God, like Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, Who said “…Remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42, Mark 14:36); or like Peter (in Luke 5:5), we should be saying

“….nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net”

Let us always remember Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 3:4

Outline 1 – Biblical Instances of Divine Leading and Guidance:

1. The Call of Abraham: Gen 12:1-4 – God called, and ordered Abram to get out of his country, from his kindred, from his father’s house to a land He will show him. Abram simply obeyed. Heb 11:8-10 says Abram left and was looking for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, by faith!!!

2. Children of Israel obeys God’s instruction & commandment on travelling & resting pattern: Numbers 9:15-23 – “….And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord, and journeyed not… or whether it were 2 days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed.. at the commandment of the Lord, they rested in the tents, and at the commandments of the Lord, they journeyed… “ (Numbers 9: 19, 22-23)

3. God’s instruction to Isaac: Gen 26:1-17 – Isaac sojourns in Gerar (refused to japa), despite famine in land, simply to obey God’s instruction, and the Lord prospered him in Gerar. “…. And Isaac dwelt in Gerar” vs 6,

“…then Isaac sowed in the land and received in the same year an 100 fold, and the Lord blessed him” vs 12

4. Jacob’s return to his fatherland: Gen 31:3, 13 – God called Jacob to return to the land of his fathers, and his kindred, and promised to be with him

5. Elijah shows himself to King Ahab, who was seeking his life, at the word of God: I Kings 18:1-17. If it is God that gave the instruction, He is able to keep and deliver you from all troubles.

6. David severally inquired for divine direction from God: I Sam 30:6-9; II Sam 2:1-4, 5:17-21

7. God led and guided the Wise men to the birth place of Jesus Christ: Matt 2:9-12

8. God guided Ananias to the specific address where Saul of Tarsus was: Acts 9:10-17

NB: God, by His Spirit can guide you to do something, or also not to do a certain task you may be bent on doing, whether you consider it a good cause of not. See Acts 16:6

Outline 2 – Requirements for Divine Leading and Guidance:

1. Delight yourself in the Lord: Ps 37:4-5, I Cor 2:9-11

2. Have passion to do God’s will: Luke 22:42, I Cor 9:16. God’s will ultimately lead you to joy unspeakable.

There will be no regret, no failure etc, as it will always work out for your good (Rom 8:28) or bring you to an expected end (Jer 29:11)

3. Have a Willingness to be led: Rom 8:14, Ps 23:1-2 – If the Lord is the Shepherd, are you willing to be a Sheep or are you a goat?

4. Have an attitude of Meekness: Matt 5:5; Ps 25:9. They meek have teachable spirits

5. Have an attitude of enquiry: Jer 6:16, Matt 7:7

6. Have an attitude of hearing and listening: James 1:19, Ps 85:8; Hab 2:1-2. Train to hear from God, as He may just decide to speak in a small still voice.

7. Have an attitude of patience: Heb 10:35-39; Isaiah 28:16. Do not force yourself to hear what God is not saying.

8. Soak in and meditate on the word of God: Ps 119:105

9. Pay attention to Godly leaders over you: 1 Sam 3:9, don’t look down on them. Samuel would not have known that it was God calling him.

10. Obey previous instructions: Mark 4:24b – if you have not harkened to a previous instruction, you may not hear the next move of God

11. Surrender your life to Jesus: John 10:14 –“…. I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” John 10:25-30

Conclusion:

If it is God leading you, you can never miss the mark. Ask God for grace to understand the mind of God and be guided in the right direction. If you think you have gone far in the wrong direction and refuse to turn back, you will only end in the wrong destination!!

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. – Matt 7:13-14

Song: Give me grace to follow, abundant grace to follow, I need your grace to follow, your grace is enough for me

Thank You Jesus,

Salvation Prayers

If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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