Devotional – Direction

Devotional

Big picture We must rely on God for direction

• Q: Have you ever gotten lost before, like in a store or in the woods? We hope not, but it happens.
• Q: How did being lost make you feel (or would feel)? Afraid? Worried? Sad? Upset? Hopeless?
• Q: Have you ever heard Christian’s talk about being lost and then found? Like in the song, “Amazing Grace.” (I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see).
• They are talking about their Christian faith. When they did not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they felt lost, spiritually. They had no direction in life because they didn’t have Jesus and the Bible to give them spiritual guidance, so they felt totally lost.
• And being spiritually lost creates the same kind of feelings being physically lost does: Fear, Worry, Sadness, Anger, Hopelessness, and more. Can you imagine living that way, being lost, every day?!
• Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us people who are spiritually lost are all alone. They must find their own direction in life, because they don’t know the Lord. They must use their own understanding, their own wisdom and decision-making. Most lost people use their feelings to guide them. Yikes!
• But the good news is Proverbs 3:5-6 also reminds us the Lord cares for His people. He never leaves us or forgets us. He will give us direction in life. We are never alone.
• But we must do 3 things first, for the Lord to show us His direction.
• Q: Does anyone know what 3 things Proverbs 3:5-6 says we must do to receive God’s direction?
  • Trust in the Lord, with all your heart = have faith in Him. You must build your faith daily, through studying the Bible and praying to Him to learn how to trust in Him.
  • Lean not on your own understanding = look for His guidance first, don’t rush to judgement using your own wits and wisdom. That’s what lost people do. Instead, patiently wait on His guidance. He wants to help you. He will show you what to do if you look for His guidance through prayer.
  • Submit yourself to Him = obey Him. If your history with God is hearing from Him but then not doing what He says, why do you think He will give you His direction next time?