THE GIFT OF GUIDANCE

I will instruct thee and teach thee in
the way which thou shalt go: I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

One of the careers available in most of our public schools is that of being a guidance counselor. It, in many cases, can be a very thankless and unappreciated job. I came to know many of them while a case manager with foster children. One of my jobs was to keep in contact with each child's school and that was generally done through a guidance counselor and at times a vice-principal. One of their frustrations is that they often have the same students coming to them with the most trivial of issues, often just to get out of class. I saw many of them grieve over those students who really needed help and counseling, but would never darken the counselors office for fear other students might see them there.

We all need guidance. If nothing else, there are times we just need to talk to someone, seeking a word of wisdom from another person. All of us find ourselves in need of counsel at one time or another. However, I hasten to say that very often, folks may not be careful with regard to who they choose to confide in. I have often said, “Everyone has a best friend.” That means that even though one may promise confidentiality, they may be tempted to tell another person.

When an adult is in need of guidance of some sort, there is nothing wrong with seeking advice or even more in-depth counseling. I can't imagine even with regard to seeking the simplest of advice, going to a non-Christian for that advice. Scripture tells we women to go to an older godly woman for our counsel or to their husband. Women should stay away from counseling sessions with pastors. Many a pastor has ended up with moral problems after lengthy counseling sessions with sobbing women. In seeking counsel, we must be careful who we approach for such.

I feel such a sense of security knowing no matter my problem or concern, I have available to me the BEST guidance possible provided by my Heavenly Father. Much of the advice I need can be found in God's Word. His Word is very in depth, not as simple as some would think. God's Holy Spirit is ready and willing to reveal His wisdom into our lives if we seek it. For instance, the Spirit can teach us and advise us from the Word. 

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13

Jesus was introducing the Holy Spirit's work to His disciples prior to His leaving and the Spirits coming. The Holy Spirit would guide them (and now us) into all truth, especially of the things of God. Every time you and I open our Bibles, the Spirit stands ready to teach us the things of God that will guide us into truth. If we read the Word, meditate on it, many of the answers we seek in this life would be answered. The world would tell us that such is just too simple. With God, nothing is simple.

God's guidance is continual:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

We don't have to make appointments for counsel, guidance or even encouragement from God's guidance in our lives. We often run to others for those things without bothering to consult God and what His will might be for us in any given situation. His guidance will benefit us in every way.

For this God is our God forever and ever:

He will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

This precious Guide of ours is a forever thing with God. It makes no difference where we are, He is there an available to us. This guidance isn't just for certain stages of our lives. God wants to guide us not only every moment of our days but until the end of our days.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How an I except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:30-3

God may choose to use us to be guides and speak through us in being of help and counsel to others. This becomes a tremendous responsibility for us when God entrusts us with guiding another into His Words of truth. All of we who are God's children will have these opportunities to be guided by the Holy Spirit to someone or someone to us who needs spiritual guidance.

We are a blessed people. We weren't adopted by salvation into God's family and then left to fend for ourselves with no direction for our lives. He is too loving a Father to do that. He takes His parenthood in our lives in a most serious way.

Father, You are so wonderful in all Your provision for us. You care about our every decision and personal concern. We are a blessed people as we see how You do everything because of Your love for us. Thank You! In Jesus' precious name. Amen