God’s Guidance
There are three Hebrew words that are
used to describe the way God guides us. When we look at these words we can
learn so much about God’s guidance:
• Nahag – to lead along a path. This word is
used of a leader who governs, shelters and leads. Look at these verses that
show God’s strength as He leads His people
Ps. 27:11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my
enemies.
Ps. 61:3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
Is. 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in
drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
• Derek – to walk, journey, path, direction,
course of life, moral character
Ps. 1:1, 6 Blessed is the man
Who
walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor
sits in the seat of the scornful;
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly
shall perish.
Ps. 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I
will advise you and watch over you.
• Nachah – to lead with care like a shepherd, to
give rest, to guide to a place of watering, to refresh (with food), to lead to
a goal, to lead on a journey
Is. 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with
His arm,
And carry them in His
bosom,
And gently lead those
who are with young.
Ps 23:2 also uses this word: He
leads me beside the still waters
Ps. 31:3-5 Look at how the Message Bible
describes God’s protection and guidance during a time of great adversity:
You’re my cave to
hide in,
my cliff to climb.
Be my safe leader,
be my true mountain
guide.
Free me from hidden
traps;
I want to hide in
you.
I’ve put my life in
your hands.
You won’t drop me,
you’ll never let me
down.
This word denotes a great deal of care
and protection. The Lord not only guides us, but He protects and cares for us
along the way.
If you are seeking God’s direction for
something in your life, consider praying like this:
Father…
-I come before You with a clean heart
-I submit to Your will for my life
-I ask for specific guidance for this
specific situation
-I give my heart, mind and strength to
seeking Your direction
-I wait on You, and turn all my
attention to hearing Your voice
-I trust that Your will and Your way
is always the very best for my life
-I will obey whatever You say, and
will go wherever You lead me
God has wisely kept
us in the dark concerning future events
and reserved for
himself the knowledge of them,
that he may train us
up in a dependence upon himself
and a continued
readiness for every event.
Matthew
Henry
