FIVE WAYS TO HEAR AND FOLLOW GOD
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.’” Judges 6:36-37, ESV
Theme: God does care about our “small” concerns and will occasionally provide supernatural confirmation.
SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE A SIGN
Gideon was a farmer, hiding in the threshing floor! But that is not how God saw him: “And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor’” (Judges 6:12, ESV). When the angel of God added, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” (Judges 6:14b, ESV). Gideon was dismayed to be called out by God to lead a small band of men against a huge army.
Because God had not spoken to Gideon before and because the task was so outrageous for such an unknown, weak man, God patiently, repeatedly answered Gideon’s request for supernatural signs. Read Judges 6 and 7 to see how God directed, whittled down, and encouraged Gideon by His very specific acts.
But that’s not always the case. If you are new at following God, or He is asking you to do something so terrifying that you need to be sure it’s God, then maybe you will be given some supernatural sign. However, mature believers must learn to hear and follow the way God leads now! He is aware of every decision and every concern. Do not think that because He does not paint an answer in the sky, He is not listening and acting on your behalf. Look for His direction in these five ways.
1 - HOLY SPIRT
God’s Spirit dwells in every believer. He will nudge and direct. He will give unease if you are walking in the wrong direction or participating in something that is not God’s will. The Spirit will likewise bless your steps with peace if you are obeying and trying to follow the path God is impressing upon you. He will comfort you in these hard decisions and convict you if you are choosing your path rather than God’s purposes for your life.
2 - HOLY SCRIPTURE
The Word of God is a treasure written down for our instruction. Be in it daily, and when you are faced with an action or decision, Scripture will bubble up from your soul to guide You. Jesus is the Word and has left His Word to be a teacher to us. If you are trying to discern God’s will and His way, the Bible will be your guide.
3 - GODLY COUNSEL AND CONFIRMATION
It is unwise to share any big decision in too much detail or with too many people. But it is very wise to find a few trusted advisors who are strong believers. Ask them to pray before giving any advice. (Even wise people can spout off with earthly opinions if they have not prayed about a particular decision in advance.) Trust their insights, discernments, and use of Scripture...but only to a point. God expects each of us to discern His will and doesn’t give others all the details they need to make the decision for you.
4 - GODLY “COINCIDENCES”
There have been times in my life when a person will unknowingly confirm what I have been sensing in my quiet time. They will share a verse that God has been bringing to my mind. They will invite me to a meeting which confirms the direction God was leading. Maybe they share a similar urging and ask me to partner with them. Believe me, when a stranger repeats the very words you have been sensing from God, or you miraculously run into the person God has been telling you to get in touch with, you can be sure it is Him opening the door for you to step through it, and no mere coincidence.
5 - COMMON SENSE
God asks us to love Him with all we are: heart, mind, soul, and strength. This tells me He expects me to use my mind and my common sense. I know God’s will can never contradict the words of the Bible or usually will not go against the laws of the land. (There may rarely be times when civil disobedience is necessary because of your faith in God, but this should be a careful event approached after much prayer). The Proverbs have much to say that is just plain common sense, like we should work hard, watch our words, save, and care for others.
ABOVE ALL
Above all, spend the time it takes to pray through the events before you. Ask God to direct, reveal, confirm, and bar doors. Ask for signs; ask for redirection. God wants you to know His will!
Make It Personal: In my life, I have seen miraculous signs, usually when God knew we would need that confirmation to persevere through the hard battle ahead. But usually, He expects me to pray through a matter until I understand God’s will for me. So often, people ask others God’s plan for their lives but are unwilling to do the hard work of seeking, praying, searching through the Scriptures for what God is saying. Make sure you are doing your own “homework” before asking others to figure out God’s plan for you. Make sure you are asking God for His plan before asking Him for a sign to confirm your own plan! As Jesus prayed in the Garden, be willing to pray “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42b, ESV).
Pray: Lord, I want to follow You. Please make Your will and way plain to me. I will seek and pray, but I ask You to grant me wisdom. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Judges 6, 7; James 1:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;” (Psalms 16:11a, NLT)