Genesis 31-32
Matthew 9:18-38

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” 
—Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV

Some of us may have probably wondered, “How does God guide us?” The opening verse of this devotion tells us that God will guide us in His ways. If we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will guide our paths. To acknowledge Him is the three-fold element of our relationship with Jesus Christ: to love Him, to depend on Him and to obey Him. We love Him because He first loved us, so we enjoy His love for us and love Him in return. In our dependence on Him, we trust Him and obey Him. Since God’s Word says that if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths—that’s a promise.

We also find other passages that speak to God guiding us. Isaiah writes, “The LORD will guide you always…” (Isaiah 58:11). Psalm 37:23 tells us, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 48:14 reminds us, “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our Guide even to the end” (Psalm 48:14). Asaph writes, “You guide me with Your counsel, and afterwards You will take me into glory” (Psalm 73:24).

In the New Testament, Paul writes, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to

“…through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives…” (Colossians 1:9). For what reason? Paul tells us, “…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way” (Colossians 1:10). All of these verses, as well as others, speak to God guiding us as part of what He does, giving us an awareness of His will.

There is no formula or methodology, and for good reason. If there was, we would not have to deal with God, we would just deal with formulas. However, the whole of the Christian life is designed to bring us into personal dealings with God, so God Himself will guide us. The way He guides us will differ from person to person while the principles remain the same—to love Him, to depend on Him and to obey Him.

The key to guidance is not being skilled in discernment or in direction, but walking humbly with God. And in walking humbly with God, He will guide us.

Dear God, thank You for Your guidance in my life. I love You. I trust and depend on You. Help me to be obedient to Your will.