105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 107I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! —Psalm 119:105-107
How can you know God’s will? How can you get on the right path and stay on it? There is a lot of confusion about this. Here are three, absolutely guaranteed, you-will-be-on-the-right-path guidelines. Because God wants His will to light your way every day.
First, God’s will is found in His Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible lights up your path. It helps you navigate the way ahead.
When you are uncertain or feel like you’re in a really dark place, turn on the light of God’s Word. Pick it up and open it. Make this your daily practice, so you’re not just randomly reading, but beginning to know where the answers are. Keep a list of particular passages that have given you direction. The Scriptures help you see where your feet are standing, and perhaps more importantly, where you’re heading on the path in front of you.
Here’s the second guideline. Along with spending regular time in God’s Word, you can find further light on His will through godly counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” People often think, I don’t want to ask anyone for their input. I know what I want to do. If I ask someone for advice, they might tell me my plan is a bad idea! The Bible says a foolish person doesn’t get counsel from others before they make an important decision. Don’t be indecisive—or decisive on your own. Seek the wise input of those who have proven to be trustworthy.
Third, the Spirit of God leads us. Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Many people want the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but they don’t seek godly counsel or the Word. Yet these are the very tools the Spirit of God uses to guide you.
If you don’t fill up on the Word and wise counsel, you’re not giving the Spirit much to work with. You’re left with only a subjective sense of “the-Lord-told-me-to-do-this.” God will not tell you to do something contrary to His Word and contrary to the godly wisdom of others. If you insist on deciding against God’s Word and wise counsel, the results will be entirely your own fault.
These three guidelines together are a powerful decision-making combination. You can say, “I’ve been in the Word, and I’m getting counsel from wise, godly people. The Spirit Himself is bearing witness with my spirit” (see Romans 8:16).
Start with Scripture, include wise counsel and reliance on God’s Spirit, and your testimony will be, “He guides me.” When life is difficult, you want to know you have sought God’s guidance every step of the way.
Journal
Pray
Lord, Your Word instructs me, Your Son directs me, and Your Spirit urges me to say, “Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done.” Help me to remember that living by Your will and for Your glory is a big part of knowing Your direction. I want to do Your will, even when I don’t fully understand it. Lord, I give my life to be an increasingly authentic expression of “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In Jesus’ name, amen.