Last post we looked at how we are to

wait patiently for the Lord in all things…

There are many instances in the scriptures where individuals have asked the Lord to give them signs or to confirm direction, action and clear instruction on how to proceed along the Way. Some examples are: Gideon, David, Moses, Eliezer, etc.

This is not something they did all the time, only when they were not sure about a decision they had to make in a particular situation. The human mind and heart can be deceiving, and the blessing is that we can ask our Heavenly Father to confirm to us, if the decision we are about to make is the right one.

However, as general guidance for disciples of Messiah who are filled with His Holy Spirit, who walk by faith and not by sight, we should not need visual aids every time to confirm our leading from His Spirit. Yet sometimes we treat the Lord like some kind of game we play, ignoring His response until we get the answer we want. We think that blending our situation together with our prayers the Lord will somehow give us a sign, something on which to hang our hopes…

Why is that?

Is it because we are having difficulty in hearing Him?

In Genesis 23:1 – 25:18 we read the account of how Eliezer found a wife for Isaac by seemingly giving the Lord conditions and instructions for Him to make it obvious who was to be the bride for Isaac.

But was it Eliezer who made up this situation with its consequences, or was it all predetermined because His answer came immediately? In fact, the Creator of the Universe had prepared the answer even before it was requested because His plan was already in motion.

 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. Gen. 24:15.

There is a huge difference between snatching for answers in things that occur randomly or in self-fulfilling prophecies, and truly being directed by the Holy Spirit of our Heavenly Father. He can and does guide us by giving us specific signs to follow. The question is do we know Him well enough to recognize His signs when we see them? Do we have the wisdom to follow them? All her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:17

Following a sign from Fathers’ Holy Spirit is certainly important but how can we tell the difference between the guidance of the Lord and our own thinking?

In the case of Eliezer, it was easy, even before he had finished asking the Lord his prayers were answered.

We can miss the signs and directions from our Father for many reasons but the most likely reason is that we have already made up our minds about the way we think things should go!

We should probably allow our Heavenly Father to show us His way first, because it will without doubt be better than any plan we can formulate. When we ask Him for direction in our life and it seems like our prayers aren’t even being heard, let’s remember how easy it was for Eliezer, Abrahams’ servant.

In Matthew 6:7-8  it says that our Heavenly Father knows our request even before we ask it. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Also in Psalms 139:1-4 we read:  O LORD, you have searched me and known me!  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.  You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Maybe the reason we have so much trouble discerning answers from the Lord is that we’re praying with pre-laid plans in our head. Isn’t it possible that the creator of the entire universe might have something else in mind? While it is wise to plan and prepare, we must recognize that God’s sovereignty ultimately guides our lives. Our plans should be made with humility and openness to His direction.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. NKJV.

Amplified Bible
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.

When our prayers seem to go unanswered we are quick to grumble and complain, however, the times when our Heavenly Father answers clearly we are quick to thank and bless Him with worship and praise. We should be sure not to forget the Lord until the next time we want something from Him.

Answered prayer is one way that our loving Heavenly Father shows His provision, kindness and faithfulness toward us. It proves that He not only cares enough about the needs in our daily lives but He is both the directing compass and the hope of our final destination on this journey we call life. So when He faithfully responds to our prayer requests, let’s not forget to be faithful to Him in return.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey. / Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

Lets bless His name because He alone is worthy of our worship and let’s ask Him to teach us to run to Him only in prayer when we are in need. As His servant let’s allow Him to show us His signs and teach us to know His ways.

James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”  You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. /Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

 

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.

Maybe its time to ask our Heavenly Father to help us to not set our minds according to our own desires but to clearly see His hand of loving-kindness. 

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will..

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose…

Shalom ‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born again from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.