knowing what to do next | Devotions by Chris Hendrix

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September 20, 2024 · 5:35 AM

Following Direction

Have you ever prayed asking God for direction? Me too. Knowing what to do or which decision to make or where to go plagues all of us. Sometimes we’re at a loss to know and other times we’ve got paralysis through analysis. Gideon was in the same boat. In Judges 6, God met with him and called him to lead Israel. In verse 36 he laid out a fleece to find out if God was really directing him in that direction. He did it again the next night just to be sure. God answered his requests and he followed where God was leading him. Because he did, God used him to set Israel free from the oppression of the Amalekites.

I don’t know if God is calling you to lead, something great or something small. However, I do know that God directs each of our steps. Whatever you’re asking directions for, He has an answer and a plan. As with anything else, you then have a choice. Are you going to follow God’s direction or are you going to choose your own? If you choose the later, take a moment to read up on Jonah. Instead, ask for wisdom in how to proceed, that God would open the right door and light up your path. God is not trying to hide his plan for you, but there are times He asks us to step out in faith. Abraham had to start walking towards something before God told him where to go. Whatever situation you find yourself in, seek God’s direction and then follow it.

Here are some Bible verses showing that God directs us:

1. What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.

Galatians 5:16 GNT

2. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalms 37:23 NLT

3. The holy God of Israel, the Lord who saves you, says: “I am the Lord your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.”

Isaiah 48:17 GNT

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

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

5. It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery!

Proverbs 20:24 TPT

Photo by Tim Graf on Unsplash

Making The Right Choice

If you’re human, you have to make a lot of decisions. There are some small decisions we make daily that don’t really affect much. Then there are those life altering decisions that have to be made and require wisdom, outside perspectives and prayer. Those are the tough ones that you want to make sure you get right. As I face a few of those right now, I can easily fall into the paralysis through analysis trap. That’s where you are so afraid you’ll make the wrong decision that you want more information, but you never have enough information to make a decision. To prevent that, I do a couple of things to help make the right decision.

The first thing is to pray. I ask for wisdom because James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (AMP). I then ask for signs like Gideon. They’re usually impossible things that only God can do. I’ll usually pray, “Lord, if I’m to choose this, then make that happen by this date. If you don’t answer, that means I should choose the other.” It’s always incredible to watch God do the impossible.

Finally, I look at the situation through the lens of God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear” (TPT). God’s Word will shine a light on a future that’s hidden and guide you along the path God has for you. The more I put God’s Word inside of me, the more it illuminates my life. Decisions are often difficult. I don’t want to make them in the dark or without God’s help. I’ve done these three things for years and have watched God point the way each time. If you’re facing an unknown future right now, try them out and let God guide your life.

Photo by Isaac Davis on Unsplash

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