Jan 27 Devotion: Waiting on God's Guidance

4).  Shew me thy ways O LORD; teach me thy paths.  5).  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 

                               PSALMS 25:4-5 (KJV)

Have you ever prayed for God to lead you, but then didn’t listen for His answer? At one point or another, most of us have done that—making our own decision and trusting He would bless it. But expecting God to approve of our plan often leads to missing out on His best. To avoid disappointment, let’s be aware of three impulses that interfere with hearing His direction accurately. 

1. Be mindful of human desires. Wants are not wrong, but longings become unhealthy when they consume our thoughts.

2. Watch out for faulty advice. We should carefully seek counsel from those who walk closely with Jesus and are grounded in His Word (SEE PROVERBS 1:5).

3. Be careful when feeling impatient, doubtful, or pressured. These emotions can lead us to make rash decisions that do far more harm than good. Patience is hard, but God’s perfect will is always worth the wait.
   

When you trusted in Christ, the Holy Spirit came into your heart and sealed you as a child of God. If you ask and believe, the Spirit will teach you how to live a godly life. Determine to follow Him by cleansing your heart, asking for guidance, waiting, and listening.

-IBC