Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
When we know that God guides His people , how do I find God’s will, and God’s ways for my life – God’s plans and purpose for my future?
Might we expect just too much from God in the area of guidance?
In Isaiah 42at verse 16 – God has been silent for a season, for a very good reason – and then comes this word from Isaiah – “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.” [[|42|16 ]](NASB)
When you cannot see where you are going, God will lead you. We can be blinded by tears – or by pain – or by frustration.
I will show you the paths – I will give you light in the dark times – I will shape the rugged places into plains. God is talking about obstacles – confusion – distraction – and – I will see you through to the end of this road.
Psalm 32verse 8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Why does God not show us the whole road right from the beginning - well we might not like what we saw.
God normally shows us one step at time – and if we do not take that first step a second step may not appear.
Genesis 12verses 1,2 – God chose this man and called this man and sent this man – if you want your life to be blessed this is how it has to be – walk by faith Abraham – not just by sight.
Where are we going – I will tell you when we get there! Abraham – go – walk into the unknown – it is a walk of faith it is a walk into the unknown.
It can be likened to – you cannot steer a parked car.
Psalm 77 verse 19 – “Your road led through the Red Sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” Your footprints were unseen – nobody knew what was there – but you had gone ahead of us.
In which ways does God guide me?
1 - HE GUIDES ME BY His Spirit – by the Holy Spirit. He comes – takes up residence within you – guides you – and leads you.
Psalm 143verse 10 - “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
John 16 verses 13,14 – “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth . . . He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”
2 - HE GUIDES ME BY His Word – the Will of God is in the Word of God – if you want to know what God thinks about something – find out what He says in His word.
No matter what genders society adopts, when God created man. HE made them male and female.
Psalm 119 verse 105 - “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
2Timothy 3verse 16 - “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
3 - HE GUIDES ME BY His people – we were never intended to live in isolation.
Colossians 3verse 16 - “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another. . .”
Hebrews 10 verse 24 - “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
4 - HE GUIDES ME BY circumstances – doors that open – doors that close.
He uses various spiritual gifts – the emotions of our heart – your ability and gifts and talents – your personality and experiences – God wants to use all these characteristics within us.
5 - HE GUIDES ME BY HIS STILL SMALL VOICE Remember that experience of Elijah – Elijah went into a cave to spend the night. Suddenly the Lord spoke to him, ‘Elijah, what are you doing here?’ He answered, ‘Lord God Almighty, I have always served you—you alone. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed all your prophets. I am the only one left—and they are trying to kill me!’
[[|19|9-13]] (GNB) - ‘Go out and stand before me on top of the mountain,’ the Lord said to him. Then the Lord passed by and sent a furious wind that split the hills and shattered the rocks—but the Lord was not in the wind. The wind stopped blowing, and then there was an earthquake—but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire—but the Lord was not in the fire . And after the fire there was the soft whisper of a voice. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, ‘Elijah, what are you doing here?’”
[[|30|21 ]](NIV) - “You will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”
The voice of God is to confirm – to encourage you in that direction in which you are going. God does not say – this is the destination – it is guidance and direction.
Proverbs 3verse 6 - “In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.” Acknowledge means – by asking HIM – what do you think about this – and not even here does GOD show you the ultimate destination. HE will clear the road for you to follow and walk in that way.
Where I end up in life is not nearly as important as how I got there. You cannot walk into the future if we are living in the past -
Isaiah 58 verse 11 - “And the Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
“Father God, we thank You that You are a God who promises to guide His people – thank You for the scriptures which expand and explain Your perfect methods. Thank You for guiding us by the Holy Spirit Spirit – by Your Word – by Your people – by circumstances – and by that still small Voice. Thank You for Jesus who speaks and says, “Follow me”. Amen”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.