LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 5 of 20

A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF DIVINE GUIDANCE

When Abraham was "old and well stricken in age," he sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the "child of promise." He made the servant swear that he would not take a wife for his son from the Canaanites, among whom he dwelt. He directed his servant to go to his country, taking a wife from among his kindred (Gen 24:3-4). Acquainted with the impotency of human wisdom, the servant prayed to the Lord, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today, I pray thee, and show steadfast love to my master Abraham" (Gen 24:12, RSV). Even though Abraham's directives had been plain, the mitigating factors of life constrained the faithful servant to seek guidance from the Lord. He did not depend upon his own analysis of the situation, although the activity of his heart and mind were involved.

If you are familiar with this incident, you know the Lord answered the servant's prayer. After going to the right place, and seeking the right type of wife, he found Rebekah. When the servant had interrogated the young lady and weighed the circumstances, he concluded the following; "And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren" (Gen 24:27). His confession was, the Lord " . . . led me in the right way . . . " (Gen 24:48).

God led this faithful servant while he employed his discretionary powers in meticulously following his master's will. It is no different with you! After you know the will of the Lord, and have determined to engage all of your powers in fulfilling it, seek Divine direction. You have an example in Abraham's servant of the appropriateness of this approach to life.

PRAYER POINT: Father, with the patriarch David I pray, "Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths." Grant me this grace in Jesus' name.

-- TOMORROW: THE ERA OF NEW THINGS --