3 Keys to Receiving God’s Guidance

Posted on 04/16/2019 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

I often need guidance, and I have found that the very best guidance comes from God.

Receiving God’s guidance ranks far above all other forms of guidance, advice, or counsel. That’s because God’s guidance originates in the nature and character of our Creator, the Eternal, Loving, and Unchanging God, whose name is Yahuwah Elohim [the Hebrew name for the LORD God].

Having Yahuwah’s guidance is the genuine desire of those who, through the New Birth, have come out of spiritual darkness and have thus become ‘Children of Light‘:

For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8)

Then Yahushua [Jesus] said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not where he goes. While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. These things spake Yahushua [Jesus], and departed, and did hide himself from them. (John 12:35-36)

This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (1John 1:5)

These verses teach us that when we seek God’s guidance and live according to His Light (His Truth), we will therefore not walk in darkness.

To walk as ‘Children of Light’ is to follow Yahuwah’s guidance just as the children of Israel followed the bright Shekinah glory in the pillar of cloud by day and in the pillar of fire by night. The children of Israel were continually watching the Shekinah glory, for it determined their daily guidance:

Moreover You [Yahuwah] led them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. 19) Yet You, in Your manifold mercies, forsook them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go. (Nehemiah 9:12,19)

These Scriptures confirm that the Light of Yahuwah’s guidance leads us ‘in the way we should go!‘

Genuine seekers of Yahuwah – the Children of Light – desire the Light of His guidance through His written Word: Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

Genuine seekers of Yahuwah want to hear and know the ‘joyful sound’ of Yahuwah’s guidance, so they can walk according to the Light of Father’s countenance — His favor and fellowship: Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Yahuwah [LORD], in the light of Your countenance. (Psalms 89:15)

When we are weary with solutions that only lead to more frustrations; when our own efforts have failed and disappointed us, then it is time to look for guidance that is outside human counsels and imaginations.

We need the guidance that is not subject to the whims and imaginations of human wisdom.
We need the guidance that is far superior to all human advice and wisdom.
We need the guidance that comes only from the Eternal One who is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth (Exodus 34:6).

Notice this quote by Leonard Ravenhill:

“Men give advice; God gives guidance.” — Leonard Ravenhill

But how do the Children of Light receive the guidance that comes from Yahuwah Elohim?

In this writing, we will look at 3 keys necessary for genuine seekers to receive Father’s guidance.

First Key For Receiving Father’s Guidance

The first essential KEY held by genuine seekers of Yah’s guidance is their complete dependence on the truth and authority of Yahuwah’s written Word [the Scriptures – the Bible].

Those who recognize the authority of the written Word, are those who turn from a selfish lifestyle, and become “doers” of the Word. They simply hearken to Messiah’s Words, and follow Him (John 10:27), by doing what He did, and avoiding what He avoided.

When we are following Messiah by “doing” what the Word says, we display our obedience, and our dependence on the authority of God’s Word.

According to the apostle James (James 1:22), those who “hear” the Word [or “know” the Word], but do not “do” what the Word says, become deceived. Thus when we are “not doing” what the Word says, we display our disobedience, and are in danger of being deceived.

Because we have written about this principle of God’s guidance previously, here, here, and here, we will not go into further detail here. Please refer to these other articles for further insight on this essential KEY for receiving Father’s guidance — dependence on the truth and authority of Yahuwah’s written Word, the Bible.

It is this first essential KEY, that opens the door to the next two keys.

Second Key For Receiving God’s Guidance

The second KEY necessary to receive Yahuwah’s guidance is commitment — the commitment to become a ‘living sacrifice’ unto Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God]:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

The above verses from the book of Romans tell us that becoming a ‘living sacrifice’ unto God is the pathway to discovering the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. This is the pathway to the transformation of our mind in which we desire to seek and receive Father’s guidance for us. But what does it mean to be a living sacrifice?

To become a ‘living sacrifice’ is to give up our own will, in order to do Father’s will (DO His Word). This sacrifice is the evidence of one’s commitment. Without this commitment to God, there will be no understanding of what Father’s guidance is for us.

The book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:6-10) reveals that this sacrifice of our own will, in order to do Father’s will (His desires and purposes for us), is a New Covenant requirement, and was practiced by Messiah Himself. These passages explain how the ‘first’ Old Covenant animal sacrifice brought by the people is superseded by the ‘second’ New Covenant sacrifice of our own will.

We see the ‘living sacrifice’ illustrated in the continual, daily sacrifices offered on the altar at the tabernacle:

And you shall say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer unto Yahuwah [the LORD]; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4) The one lamb shall you offer in the morning, and the other lamb shall you offer at even; … 6) It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto Yahuwah [the LORD]. (Numbers 28:3-4,6)

This passage has many meanings for those who are redeemed by the blood sacrifice of our Saviour, Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ].

One meaning of this daily offering can be seen as applying to Yahushua’s followers. This daily sacrificial offering is a picture of us as a ‘living sacrifice’ unto Yahuwah. This daily offering is a picture of denying ourselves, daily presenting ourselves to God by surrendering our ‘SELF’ life, so that we may say the same words as the apostle Paul:

“I am crucified with Messiah [Christ]: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Messiah [Christ] lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

As a living sacrifice, we make the commitment to surrender our ‘self’ life so that Messiah-in-me can live His life through me, that the life of Messiah can be manifested in all we do and say (Colossians 1:27).

As a living sacrifice, we make the commitment to be completely devoted to the written Word of God (the Scriptures), to giving up our own agenda, and trusting completely in the truth of Yahuwah’s love and care for us (Proverbs 3:5-7).

As a living sacrifice, we make the commitment to allow a Death-to-Self to occur, in order to be raised up to walk in the newness of the resurrected life of Messiah-in-me (Romans 6:4).

As a living sacrifice, we make the commitment to daily ‘set Yahuwah always before me’, and to daily keep ‘our eyes ever toward Yahuwah’:

I have set Yahuwah [the LORD] always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalms 16:8)

Mine eyes are ever toward Yahuwah [the LORD]; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. (Psalms 25:15)

But mine eyes are unto You, O Yahuwah my Master [GOD the Lord]: in You is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. (Psalms 141:8)

As a living sacrifice, we make the commitment to lay down our own self-interests, lay down any offensive behaviour or resistance to God’s written Word, so that we can learn and obey the Word of Yahuwah [the LORD]. We make a genuine, intentional commitment to deny ‘self’, seek Father’s guidance, and walk in obedience to God’s written Word.

This is what the commitment to live a ‘sacrificial’ life is all about. Such a commitment is a KEY to receiving the joyful assurance of Father’s guidance and light. Such a commitment makes us tender-hearted, and open and prepared to receive the gentle and loving whispers of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Becoming a living sacrifice is the evidence of our commitment.

But this is not easy to do! We must ask for God’s help!! It is a day by day, sometimes moment by moment, process of yielding our selfishness to Father’s desires for us! It is this moment by moment commitment that helps us to follow the example of our Saviour, Yahushua Messiah (Ephesians 5:1-2).

“The way we relate to God determines the way He relates to us.
God will commit Himself only to the one who is committed to Him.
There is no substitute for total commitment to God.”
— Derek Prince

Making this foundational commitment to become a living sacrifice leads us to the next key necessary to receiving Father’s guidance, as He makes known His will for us – through His written Word and through the whispers of His Holy Spirit.

Third Key For Receiving Father’s Guidance

The third essential KEY for receiving guidance from Yahuwah Elohim is to have the heart attitude called meekness:

The meek will He [Yahuwah] guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way. What man is he that fears Yahuwah [the LORD]? him shall He instruct in the way he should choose. (Psalms 25:9,12)

Seek Yahuwah [the LORD], all you meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be you shall be hid in the day of Yahuwah’s [the LORD’S] anger. (Zephaniah 2:3)

Yahushua said . . . Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly (humble) in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet (peaceable) spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1Peter 3:4)

As the above Scriptures instruct us, meekness is vital if we desire to receive instruction and guidance from Yahuwah!

It is only ‘the meek’ whom Yahuwah will guide and teach! Only ‘the meek’ will have the necessary ‘fear of Yahuwah [fear of the LORD]’ to receive instruction from the heavenly Father.

Only ‘the meek’ will have the kind of heart that sincerely desires to continuously seek Yahuwah’s strength and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Only ‘the meek’ will find rest for their souls as they learn to imitate Messiah’s characteristics of meekness and humility (Matthew 11:29; 1John 2:6).

But what does it mean to be meek?

Meekness in Scripture is not the same as the modern understanding of the word meekness. Instead, meekness in Scripture is a characteristic that encompasses great strength, humility, perseverance, but most of all, yieldedness to God’s Word! Biblical meekness also includes sincerity, patience, openness to Yah’s instruction, and an intense love for Yahuwah.

Having Biblical meekness is key to having a faith-filled walk with God, a Spirit-filled walk of obedience to God, and a walk of living in harmony and communion with Him. When we possess and exhibit genuine meekness, we are making the way for Father to guide us, teach us, and show Himself strong on our behalf (2Chronicles 16:9a).

The Courage of Meekness

Unfortunately, the ‘modern’ meaning of the word meekness has evolved into a somewhat negative meaning, implying weakness and lack of courage. But that is far from true in the Biblical sense of the word!

The Scriptures reveal to us what meekness really is:

Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth! (Numbers 12:3)

There could not be an ounce of weakness or lack of courage in a man that led the cantankerous children of Israel out of Egypt, and then through the wilderness for forty years! Moses showed great meekness through his courage and humility throughout the years in the wilderness.

Notice three ways Moses demonstrated his meekness:

His persistent determination to spend time with Yahuwah Elohim;
His willingness to yield to the authority and wisdom of Yahuwah Elohim regardless of the opposition;
His boldness to declare Yahuwah’s truth in the midst of a resistant people.

These three qualities are the essence of meekness. This is why Moses was ‘very meek, above all the men upon the face of the earth’. His actions consistently revealed his heart attitude of meekness.

A Beautiful and Rare Characteristic

We can see the essence of meekness demonstrated in many of Yahuwah’s people:

King David revealed his heart attitude of meekness by his consistent habit of calling on God in his times of trouble (Psalms 40:1; Psalms 116:1-2; Psalms 55:16-17).
King Josiah revealed his heart attitude of meekness by his tender-hearted-ness in submitting to God’s written Word (2Kings 22:19; 2Kings 23:3).
Queen Esther revealed her heart attitude of meekness by her courage to enter the king’s presence without his permission (Esther 5:1-2).
The apostle Paul revealed his heart attitude of meekness by his determination to declare the truth of Yahushua Messiah in the face of great opposition (Acts 20:22-24; 2Corinthians 4:11; see also 2Corinthians 11:23-30).
Hudson Taylor revealed his heart attitude of meekness by the surrender of all he had in order to labour and pour out his heart in intercession for China’s multitudes. “An easy-going, non-self-denying life will never be one of power.” – J. Hudson Taylor: God’s Mighty Man of Prayer.
Adoniram Judson revealed his heart attitude of meekness by the patient endurance of his 13 month confinement in a loathsome, wretched, Oriental jail. “If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by God’s infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.” – Adoniram Judson’s Imprisonment
Mary Slessor revealed her heart attitude of meekness by her bravery among the heathen tribes of Calabar to rescue twin babies from being murdered. Mary Slessor, Among the Cannibals of Calabar
Smith Wigglesworth revealed his heart attitude of meekness by his deep intimacy with the heavenly Father and his bold, unquestioning faith in God’s Word which brought spectacular results among the sick and suffering. Smith Wigglesworth: the ‘Apostle of Faith’

There is something very special and unique about meekness! It is a beautiful and rare character quality. In God’s eyes, meekness is very precious and extremely valuable (1Peter 3:4)!! Which is why Yahuwah will beautify only ‘the meek’ with His salvation.

He Will Beautify The Meek With Salvation

Meekness is the essential character quality for receiving the beauty of Yahuwah’s salvation:

For Yahuwah [the LORD] takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. (Psalms 149:4; see also Psalms 90:17)

As this Scripture teaches, it is ‘the meek‘ whom Father will beautify with salvation. That word ‘salvation’ is the Hebrew word ‘yeshuah’ <Strong’s #3444>, and it can mean deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.

Yahuwah Elohim imparts the beauty of salvation, as well as deliverance, rescue, health, and welfare to ‘the meek‘! The beauty that Father imparts to the meek is a beauty that is more attractive and more beautiful than we can imagine:

I will greatly rejoice in Yahuwah [the LORD], my soul shall be joyful in my Elohim [God]; for He has clothed me with the Garments of Salvation, He has covered me with the Robe of Righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

As this verse reveals, to beautify us with Yah’s salvation is first of all, to be clothed with the very honourable and glorious Garments of Salvation, and then covered over with the glorious and majestic Robe of Righteousness. Yahuwah Elohim is very insistent that His people wear the beautiful and ‘royal’ Garments of Salvation and the Robe of Righteousness!

But in order to wear such glorious and beautiful clothing, we must qualify for this honour by acquiring the character quality of meekness. We first begin to acquire this essential character quality when we accept Yahuwah’s offer of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, Yahushua Messiah [Jesus Christ], which is the first step to being Born Again.

After we have been Born Again, then we begin to cultivate and imitate the character qualities of our great God and Saviour, Yahushua Messiah (Matthew 11:29; Titus 2:11-14).

In cultivating meekness, Father gives us the strength to begin to deny ungodliness of every sort, and live soberly, righteously, and godly. We begin to ‘put on’ the beautiful character qualities of humility, compassion, mercy, strength and honour, patience, and agape love.

These are glorious and beautiful ‘clothing‘ in the spiritual realm! These garments are the result of Yahuwah’s careful and meticulous dealings with us in helping us to imitate His Son by cultivating the beautiful quality of meekness!

Summary

In order to discern and walk in the Light of Yahuwah’s countenance and guidance; in order to truly understand Father’s will for us, then the one most very basic KEY is PRAYER! We must begin to diligently seek God, search for God, and inquire of God, with all our heart.

“As John Wesley once said: Proceed with much prayer, and your way will be made plain.”

Receiving God’s guidance becomes easier as we begin to trust Father’s many promises to those who seek Him:

But if from there you shall seek Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD your God], you shall find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

And they that know Your name will put their trust in You: for You, Yahuwah [LORD], have not forsaken them that seek You. (Psalms 9:10)

Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. (Psalms 119:2)

For thus says Yahuwah, … And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Yahuwah [the LORD] is good unto them that wait for Him [look to Him], to the soul that seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:8)

As we begin seeking Yahuwah’s guidance in the Scriptures, we will discover that He truly is a ‘Wonderful Counsellor’ (Isaiah 9:6). And, we will discover that His direction is clear and definite, shining brighter and brighter as we draw near to the time of our Saviour’s return (Proverbs 4:18).

The confident receiving of God’s guidance and counsel comes only as the result of:

earnest, patient prayer;
keeping current in our relationship with Father;
the study of His written Word; and
truly loving to obey His WORD!

Let us therefore remember these 3 keys to receiving God’s guidance:

1. a complete dependence on the truth and authority of Yahuwah’s written Word [the Scriptures – the Bible];
2. the commitment to become a living sacrifice unto Yahuwah Elohim [the LORD God];
3. cultivating the very precious, rare, and extremely valuable character trait of meekness.

These 3 basic keys will be helpful in seeking, discerning, and receiving God’s guidance.

Thank You Father, that You want to guide me and lead me in Your ways. Help me to have a willing and obedient heart in all that You show me. In Messiah Yahushua’s name, I pray. Amen.

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