Methods of Divine Guidance Pt 2

Take some time to reflect and let the Lord bring to your mind those areas in your personal history that you may have overlooked in which He was trying to give you guidance, but it was perhaps missed because it was misinterpreted.

1. Providence/Circumstance There is an unconditional guidance in which God acts sovereignly without any requisite for such guidance, and regardless of our relationship with Him. ALL THINGS are under His complete control. This form of personal guidance is most obvious to us “after the fact,” looking back over our lives. This may be one reason so many find it difficult to reflect on their lives; they may be avoiding either the clear involvement of the Lord in their lives, or evidence of those times when they missed opportunities to seek the Lord’s help. But avoiding the past only prevents us from reaping its benefits, from learning its lessons; the best time to make course corrections is NOW!

2. Law/Morality The law of the land, or social/cultural guidance, governs the natural realm in which we live, and the consequences of breaking the law are also natural. Likewise, morality is cultural; what is acceptable and “right” in one culture may not be acceptable in another. God is much less easily offended than we think He is. Whether we fulfill the law and morality of our culture or not does not affect our identity as either sinner or saint.

3. Instruction/Direction Here is a conditional guidance in which our participation, awareness and enjoyment of the leading of God is contingent upon our compliance with certain conditions, i.e., waiting, seeking, getting healed, etc.

4. Knowing God As we grow in dependence, we become more and more sensitive to the internal direction of His Personal Presence, and to recognize the assurance of the peace and confidence that only comes from abiding both with Him and in Him.