TOPIC: WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JULY 01, 2024
TOPIC: FOLLOWING GOD’S LEADING
BY T. O. BANSO
“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24 New King James Version)
In the Bible, God led His people through (1) His Word (2) The Holy Spirit through the still small voice, inner witness, or a knowing (3) Dreams, visions, and trances (4) Prophecies (5) Godly counsel (6) Angels (7) Circumstances – People and events God arranged to lead them.
God led Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly mother of Jesus, through dreams multiple times. After Joseph had decided to divorce Mary secretly because of her pregnancy, the Bible says, “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins’” (Matthew 1:20-21 New King James Version). Joseph did as he was told in the dream.
Furthermore, just about the time that Herod wanted to start killing children, in his bid to kill Jesus whom he saw as a threat, an angel, in a dream, gave direction to Joseph to flee with the child and mother to Egypt. Matthew 2:13 says, “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him’” (New King James Version). Joseph obeyed and the life of Jesus was preserved.
After the death of Herod, and Joseph was to leave Egypt with Jesus and Mary, he received direction again from an angel in a dream. “Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.’ Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene’” (Matthew 2:19-23 New King James Version).
As that scripture shows, quite characteristic of Joseph, he followed the direction given to him. Joseph was a dreamer like Joseph of the Old Testament. Does God talk to you in a dream regularly? Don’t despise your dreams. If it’s a dream you must pray about, please, don’t be careless about it.
Prophecy is another way God leads. While the Bible says we should not despise prophecy, it says we should test everything said and hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). Not all prophecies are from God. Have a witness in your spirit before you follow a leading you receive via a prophecy. That’s different from “prophetic declarations,” which are decrees based on God’s promises in the Bible but not essentially foretelling. Don’t despise them.
Not all dreams, visions, and trances are divine communication. Satan transforms into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Not all counsellors speak by the Spirit of God. Isaiah 19:11b says, “Pharaoh’s wise counselors give foolish counsel” (New King James Version). The English Standard Version says, “The wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel.” Don’t follow just any counsel. However, God is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance (Isaiah 28:29). He still gives people counsel by His Spirit through wise counsellors. He also still talks to people directly and guides them.
God led Moses by speaking to him from the burning bush (Exodus 3:7-10). He communicated with Elijah and led him during the drought (1 Kings 17:1-7, 8-16, 18:1-2). In Samaria, God used an angel to lead Philip to the desert. In the desert, the Spirit told Philip to go over and join the Ethiopian Eunuch’s chariot. (Acts 8:26-40). Furthermore, God led Ananias in a vision to go and open Saul’s eyes (Acts 9:10-19). He also led Cornelius and Peter in a vision (Acts 10:1-19). At Antioch, while Prophets and teachers were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them to set apart for Him Barnabas and Saul for the work to which He had called them (Acts 13:1-3).
God led His people in the past and is still doing that today. He is God and doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:12; Psalm 102:27). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Nobody can determine how God will lead him. God determines that, and you should not waste your time trying to predict Him, or else the devil will deceive you. All those led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14). The Amplified Bible puts it this way: “For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Pray to God for divine leading, and be sensitive to receive and follow it. God will lead you beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2). Shepherds in Israel would not lead their sheep beside great and roaring waters but quiet and gentle waters. God has promised to lead you. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8 New International Version). The writer of Psalm 73 says, “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (verse 24 New King James Version). Trust God to continue to lead you.
You start to follow God’s leading by obeying what God has said in the Bible. This is most important. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 New King James Version). The New Living Translation says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Following God’s leading has great benefits, including protection and provision. God’s mercy ensures no lack (Isaiah 49:10). I pray you’ll not lack God’s leading. In any area you need God’s direction, may it come to you. You’ll not grope in the dark in Jesus’ name. You won’t go astray.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, lead me; let me not grope in the dark or be led astray. Keep guiding me with your counsel and lead me to a glorious destiny. Father, let those who have lost direction in life receive the right leading in Jesus’ name.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
