Where do you seek direction?

65  You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your Word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments (Psalm 119).

Most of us don’t go to places we haven’t been to, without the use of a map or GPS. No one enjoys losing their bearings. Life is lived one second, minute and hour at time.  It’s a journey with no guarantees. It’s like a road with many bends, rife with all sorts of obstacles, and blind spots. Our life is just here, now and how far we have come. We don’t know of the next hour, or tomorrow. The uncertainty is akin to lights that have gone out, where all we have is our limited visibility and instincts, as we grope about taking each step. Fortunately, we have some visuals, quick-on-our-feet decisions we can make, that will determine how we go forward. 

“God’s ways enlighten our limited foresight. “

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalms 19:8).

Our instincts can only be as good as we have been trained. Skills we have acquired and instructions we have previously received, can prove invaluable when we are at a crossroad. God’s commandments are time-tested, the gold-standard to weigh decisions by . They illuminate the path to choose; as the basis for our decisions. God didn’t give us instructions to harm us but to protect us. Parents or adults don’t lay down the law to frustrate children either. We too have to follow laws and road signs to protect ourselves and those around us. 

We all need a stable foundation to help decide right from wrong.  Formative instructions given to children comes from adults who have  some foresight of what lies ahead. God’s ways enlighten our limited foresight. They give great perspective on issues pertaining to life; something to mull on and consider as we make important decisions that impact us and others.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper (Psalm 1).

“Character is tested by our convictions.”

We have to reflect on God’s instructions before we seek others’ understanding. This means being more enthused by God’s insight, than that of our peers. God’s commandments are not just instructions, they are God’s perspective on the life He has given us. Why God’s ways? Because He isn’t limited to time and space—but we are. Doing what He has commanded, should give us peace in the midst of unsettled times. He promises that by keeping His Law, we will be fruitful like a tree in its season. That means regardless of all external forces, we will still be productive. If we are intentional about doing as God has instructed us, we will have a continuous supply of provision—God’s Wisdom which never runs out; like a tree planted by the rivers of water.  God’s laws of nature have proved effective by nature’s mandate to benefit us. By His Wisdom He sustains the cycle of life.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock (Matthew 7).

A foundation that is deep and enfolded by rock, is unlikely to creak under the strain. It’s incumbent upon us to establish our lives on principles that don’t change, that are solid as rock. When it’s required of us to take a stand, we will not waffle on what we truly believe. Character is tested by our convictions. Rough times bring to bear the things we have had confidence in and prove their mettle. 

The Lord Jesus affirms that whoever has built their life by His instruction and wisdom of His Word, will not be shaken by the storms of this life. They will prove unflappable in the face of the most difficult times, because they are sustained by their convictions, by continuing to do what He has commanded. They are also impervious to the opinions of others, and will not bend or fall under pressure. The Lord speaks of them, as the wise who built their house on the rock. They have been enlightened on how to live life with fortitude .

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1).

The Life of Christ Who is prevenient before all things, is the light of men. The light gives wisdom, knowledge and understanding in the lives of all those who surrender to the Authority of Christ. His life sustains and guides us when in one accord with Him. The prophet Isaiah prophesied of The Lord Jesus Christ:

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears (Isaiah 11).

The manifestations of the Holy Spirit in Our Lord, shall be in us: His wisdom and understanding; great counsel and might; the fountain of knowledge through our submission and delight in the fear of the Lord. Through Christ by His Spirit in us, we receive discernment and revelation needed for making sound judgement. His life in us gives perspective that has existed since the beginning; sheds light on the unseen things. Those who don’t have His Life, don’t have His Light, and they can’t comprehend how to overcome a world full of darkness. 

“Patience is having endurance with the right perspective.”

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1).

When in a quagmire, let us ask God for wisdom. Let us seek God’s wisdom with faith believing that it is going to be our best guide. We must also believe, without a shadow of doubt, that it will not fail us. First and foremost we inquire of Him. Faith is putting to work what we believe. We have to lean only on what God reveals to us, not on what we want for ourselves. He gives wisdom generously. 

A double-minded attitude shows no confidence and trust in God’s direction. Those who question God’s abilities grumble, lack patience, and are like a rolling stone that gathers no moss. They trust in their skills, experiences and limited foresight and become despondent about their own performance. When we have a firm hold on God’s principles, we also try to keep ourselves from being defiled. We restrain ourselves from the things that can lead us off track. In order to keep in lockstep with God, we have to be vigilant not be roped into the things of darkness.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5).

How can we put so much confidence in ourselves, yet we often shoot ourselves in the foot? After all we have been through, and all we have become, let us hope that we applied ourselves to the best practices, so that we will not have labored in vain. 

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain (Philippians 2).

“Faith is putting to work what we believe.”

Why does it matter where we find guidance? Because our lives depend on it. We can be wrong about many things, but we should not falter on our eternity. We leave an impact on others here, long after we are gone. We have very limited time to live right and leave behind something of value.  So what? We openly and boldly live out our convictions and let our light which is The Lord’s Life, be revealed through us. Sadly, many generations after, little will be remembered or spoken of us. There’s One Who has our name written down for a memorial. He will ensure that our short life on Earth is recorded in His Book, for eternity.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5).

We can overcome trials because we have been well equipped with God’s wisdom. We have a better perspective on life, as a light that shines in the midst of darkness. The Lord is pleased with those who strive to keep His Commandments even as they wait upon Him, with patience. Patience is having endurance with the right perspective. They remain steadfast and unmoved because of their faith, which is the hope sustains them.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them (Revelations 14).

This life isn’t guaranteed, but eternity is. In eternity, we will forever be remembered whether we chose to live in darkness or light, and did the works thereof. The Lord Jesus is the Light for all men and darkness can never quench His Light, it lives on forever. So let us live as children of light and not of darkness.

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Revelations 3).

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