Getting God’s Direction

11 April 2021 AM – Psalm 86:11 – Will of God – Scott Childs

Introduction: Decisions. Decisions! DECISIONS! Life is full of them. Whether it is deciding what brand of milk to buy, where to go on holiday, what course to take in school, how to deal with a problem, what car to buy or whether to change jobs, every decision you make is important to God.

            If you are a Christian, God has a plan for your life. While it is not always as straight forward as getting directions on Google Maps, getting God’s direction is not as difficult as the devil wants us to think.

Transition: This morning I want to show you from Scripture how you can get God’s direction for your life.

Getting God’s direction involves …

1. Submission (Read Ps 86:11)

a.         Note David’s prayer

1)         David asks the Lord to teach him God’s way. He was asking the Lord to point out His way, to direct him, to shoot him in the right direction. We hear him say, “Lord, I want to know your direction for my life.”

2)         David then stated, “I will walk in thy truth.” He committed himself to obey the Lord, no matter what direction the Lord might send him.

3)         He asked God to unite his heart to fear God’s name. That is submission!

b.         Submission is key

1)         There is no purpose in trying to get God’s direction if you do not intend to follow it. Why ask the Lord at all if you have not submitted to obey Him?

2)         We remember an example of this in the ministry of Jeremiah. The men in Jeremiah 42 asked Jeremiah to pray for God’s direction concerning whether they should go to Egypt or stay in Israel. Note their promise, (Jeremiah 42:6) “Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” However, when God had Jeremiah tell them not to go down to Egypt for protection, they refused to obey and went anyway. Did this benefit them? No, as God warned, they all died in Egypt.

3)         If you truly want to get God’s direction, you must first submit your will to God. Let the Lord have His way in your life every day…

Getting God’s direction involves …

2. Supplication (Read Ps 25:4-5)

a.         David asked God for several things

1)         He asked God to show him His ways. He was saying, “Lord, make me to know the direction I am to go.” God knows all things including how to direct you. (Psalms 147:4-5) “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (Isaiah 40:28) “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.“

2)         He asked God to teach him His paths. Here he was saying, “Lord, teach me the actual path that you want me to follow.”

3)         He then asked God to lead him in His truth and teach him. He longed that God would cause him to go or to take steps in the direction of God’s truth. He asked God to teach him those steps. We really need God’s help!

4)         He acknowledged God as his salvation or deliverance from danger or deliverance from bad choices.

5)         He vowed to wait on the Lord all the day. He promised not to run ahead. He would not turn aside. He would wait patiently for God to show him, teach him, lead him and protect him.

b.         Ask the Lord for the direction you need.

1)         God knows the direction you should go. When you feel as if you are standing at a junction with many options, God knows the one you ought to take. Ask Him! James 4:2 says that often we have not because we ask not.

2)         God knows the actual path that you should follow. When you take a hike in an unknown area, it is always helpful to have an experienced hiker as your guide. He can keep you on the right path and help you avoid dangers. Pray as David did in (Psalms 5:8) “Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.“

3)         Always seek God’s truth. We may not always like God’s truth, but God’s way is always the right way and the best way.

4)         It is very typical for us to get impatient when God does not reveal His direction as quickly as we desire. As difficult as it may be, we must learn to wait on the Lord’s timing. When you become impatient, read again these comforting words in (Isaiah 40:28-31) “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.“

Getting God’s direction involves …

3. Searching Scripture (Read Pr 2:1-6)

a.         These are wise words on finding God’s wisdom.

1)         Note the three “if” conditions (Pr 2:1,3,4).

2)         When we meet God’s conditions “then” we get what we truly need. We get God’s wisdom. Remember, wisdom is the God-given ability to make right choices.

3)         If you desire to get God’s direction, you need His wisdom. James assures us that God’s wisdom is available to all who truly seek it. (James 1:5) “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.“

b.         God often reveals His direction in His Word.

1)         What does the Bible say about your situation? God will never lead you contrary to His Word. If you are leaning in a direction that God says is wrong; it is not God’s will.

2)         Spend much time in Bible study. The book of Proverbs is especially good when seeking God’s direction. If you mark helpful verses with coloured pencil, it will make it much easier to search for help when you need it most.

3)         Depend on what God says more than on what commentators say about God’s word. Feelings and emotions often lead people to twist God’s word. God is always right.

Getting God’s direction involves …

4. Seeking Counsel (Read Pr 11:14)

a.         Counsel is protective.

1)         A good counsellor will view the situation without the emotions that are tugging at your heart.

2)         A good counsellor will open God’s Word and help you think biblically.

3)         A good counsellor will not fear to side against you if you are wrong.

b.         Be sure the counsel you seek is biblical.

1)         A person, who is living in disobedience to God’s word, will not give you biblical counsel. If that disobedient person is your friend, perhaps you need to find a new friend.

2)         Often, the devil makes us think that we do not need counsel. Pride keeps us from seeking counsel. An unsubmissive spirit will keep you from seeking counsel.

3)         God commends godly counsel.

Conclusion: Getting God’s direction is a constant need in every Christian’s life. We need direction in little areas as well as in major decisions of life. Whether you are planning a holiday, buying a car, trying to solve a problem, looking for a job, buying a house, grocery shopping, or choosing a spouse, you need God’s guidance. If you will follow the four Scriptural guidelines we have examined this morning, God will give you the direction you need at just the right time.

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337