3 Keys to Receiving God’s Guidance

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

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

Receiving God’s guidance ranks far above all other forms of guidance or counsel! That’s because God’s guidance originates in the nature and character of our Creator, the Loving, 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 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,… While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light. (John 12:35-36a)

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.

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

You [Yahuwah] led them in the day by a cloudy pillar; in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go… 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 God’s LIGHT leads us ‘in the way we should go!‘

Genuine seekers of Yahuwah [the LORD] 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 ears to hear the ‘joyful sound’ of His guidance, so they can walk according to the Light of His 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 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 humanistic advice.
We need the guidance that comes from the One who is merciful, 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? Let’s look at 3 Keys that are helpful for genuine seekers to receive Father’s guidance.

First Key For Receiving Father’s Guidance

The first essential KEY to receiving Yahuwah’s guidance is our complete dependence on the truth and authority of God’s written Word [the Scriptures – the Bible].

Those who recognize the authority of the written Word are those who become “doers” of God’s 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 dependence on the authority of God’s Word.

According to the apostle James (James 1:22), those who ‘hear’ the Word [‘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.

We have written about this principle of depending on the authority of God’s Word previously, here, here, and here. Please refer to these other articles for more insight on this first KEY for receiving Father’s guidance from the Bible.

This first KEY opens the door to the next two Keys.

Second Key For Receiving God’s Guidance

The second KEY for receiving Yahuwah’s guidance is 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. 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 begin to learn God’s Word and begin to receive Father’s guidance. But what does it mean — to be a living sacrifice?

To become a ‘living sacrifice’ is to begin saying to Father God (with His help!), “Not my will, but Your will be done!” This is the sacrifice: to give up our will. This is the evidence of one’s Commitment to God! Without this commitment, there will be no understanding of what Father’s guidance is for us.

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

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

You shall say to 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. 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, 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 Messiah’s followers. The difference is that now this daily sacrificial offering is a picture of us as a ‘LIVING sacrifice‘ unto God. 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 devoted to the written Word of God (the Scriptures), to give up our own agenda, and trust in the truth of Yahuwah’s Word and love 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)

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

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

These verses show us the commitment of being 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 God’s purposes for us and obey the Word of Yahuwah [the LORD]. We make a genuine commitment to seek Father’s guidance, to walk in obedience to His written Word.

This is what the ‘sacrificial’ life is all about. Such a commitment is a KEY to receiving the joyful assurance of Father’s guidance and light (truth). Such a commitment makes us tender-hearted, open and prepared to receive the gentle 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 denying our selfishness to obey Father’s plans for us! Our moment by moment commitment eventually 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 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 KEY for receiving guidance from Yahuwah Elohim is to spend time with God in prayer.

This Key may be very obvious to most, but the importance of prayer cannot be overstated! The only way to receive the personal guidance we need from our heavenly Father is to cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s direction by spending time each day in seeking Yahuwah [the LORD].

It does not have to be hours and hours in our secret prayer closet. However, our sincere prayer times provide significant opportunities for the Holy Spirit to speak to us. Our regular prayer times help us to “Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God”, helping us learn to wait patiently for Father’s direction.

Each day, preferably the first thing we do when we awaken (Psalms 5:3 and 88:13), we need to present ourselves to God, acknowledge Him, and commit ourselves to Him because we belong to Him. The Scriptures teach the importance of acknowledging Him in all our ways, committing our thoughts, our words, and our ways into Yahuwah’s hands for the day. Our morning prayer times are when we should ask God to cause us to know His input, His corrections, His directions for each day. We need to make ourselves ready and willing to hear and receive Father’s directions and/or revisions:

Trust in Yahuwah [the LORD] with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Commit your works unto Yahuwah [the LORD], and your thoughts shall be established. (Proverbs 3:5-6 and Proverbs 16:3)

Commit your way unto Yahuwah [the LORD]; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:5)

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for in You (Yahuwah) do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto You. (Psalms 143:8)

We should tell God that we want to know what He has to say to us. We present our requests for Him to direct all the things we need to do. Then we trust Him and rest in His promise to direct our path and establish our thoughts.

If we want to know God’s guidance then we should plan times of quietness for reading/studying the Bible and secret prayer. Then it will be easier for us to know the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must determine to downsize our activities, turn off the music, the video games, the TV, and shut out the many other worldly influences, so that we can focus on God’s direction for us. These kind of adjustments are part of our commitment to be a ‘living sacrifice‘ – to deny ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives (Titus 2:12).

Cultivating sensitivity to the Holy Spirit takes time and effort, and a willingness to wait – wait patiently for Father’s direction. Becoming more sensitive to His influences not only helps us to recall Scriptures, but enables us to have a better, sharper discernment of what Father is saying to us. And our quiet times of studying/reading the Scriptures increases our personal understanding of Father’s Ways. But, we must apply into our lives what God says in the Scriptures by being obedient!

“To obtain the influences of the Spirit of God, you must seek them by fervent, believing prayer, and you must cherish the slightest impressions. You must yield to His softest and gentlest motions, and watch to learn what He would have you do, and yield yourself up to His guidance.” — Charles Finney

Let’s be encouraged also that Father God invites us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Yahuwah Elohim, the Mighty One of Israel, wants to help us! He loves us with His everlasting love and comfort! So stay close to Him by maintaining your Quiet Times! And may we be as King David who talked to Yahuwah [the LORD] frequently, opened up, and poured out his heart in truth and sincerity. There is a reward awaiting us for spending time with our loving God and King: He rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)!!

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as you would unload your heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell God your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell God your joys, that He may sober them; tell God your longings, that He may purify them; tell God your dislikes, that He may help you conquer them. Talk to God of your temptations, that He may shield you from them: show God the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them. If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. Talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration – just say what you think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved communication with God.” — Francois Fenelon

Summary

In order to discern and walk in the Light of Father God’s countenance and guidance; in order to truly understand His will for us, then this one most 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).

Father God wants to guidance in all we do! 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. earnest, patient prayer, and keeping current in our relationship with Father.

These 3 basic Keys will be helpful in seeking and discerning 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. Help me to have ears to hear Your guidance for me. In the name of Messiah Yahushua [Christ Jesus] I pray. Amen.

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