Resources/Articles
Guidance
Augustine said of himself that he was nothing but “a guide to his own downfall.” God helped man to see the same about himself in Jeremiah 10.23: “The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walkers to direct his steps.”
It was Philip who said to the Ethiopian eunuch, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The eunuch responded by asking, “How can I except some one shall guide me?” (Acts 8.30-31).
The children of Israel would have never reached the Promised Land were it not for the guidance of a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire (Exodus 13.21-22).
Jesus knew truth needed the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16.13).
Students in school need guidance counselors to help establish their courses in high school, find colleges to attend, or deal with crises at home or in school. No one seems to be without the need for guidance. Why?
Man is utterly inadequate for coping with the issues and problems of living. Man does not know everything. However much he learns, there is always far more he does not know. Therefore, should we not resort to a more perfect and complete direction rather than guessing all through life as to which church is the right church, how to raise children, the responsibilities of husbands and wives, and the plan of salvation?
God’s wisdom and knowledge is infinite and absolutely perfect. His ways are higher than ours. To God, no problem is baffling, no question is unanswerable, and no situation is too difficult. He has promised us unwavering and untiring guidance through decisions related to job, family, and church, sickness and disease, persecution and mockery, sorrow and grief, and prosperity and success. “I will never leave thee, neither will I in an wise forsake thee” (Hebrews 13.5). This is His promise. His love is endless. His grace is abundant. His power to hold us up never weakens.
Guidance simply means nothing is left to chance or assumption. Attending a church is not a matter of drawing straws. A good marriage is more than picking the first one that comes along. Good children do not “just happen.” Success is not delivered on a silver platter. Love, patience, and joy are not genetically acquired. Heaven is not a place you dream about. What we need is guidance! May we petition God with the words of a song: “Guide me O Thou, great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land…”
