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 10 of 20

GUIDED BY HIS EYE

Many see the leading of the Spirit as divorced from thought and purpose, but this is not the case. The Spirit leads us through our sensitivity to the Lord. This is the matter in reference in the thirty-second Psalm. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (verse 8). Some of the other translations are a bit distracting on this matter, translating the phrase "with mine eye" as "with Mine eye UPON you" (RSV, NASB. NIV). This might leave the impression that Divine "counsel" is merely done with our interest at heart, as though God was watching out for our good. It is certainly true that God guides us with this in mind; but that is not the emphasis of this verse. The instruction and teaching in reference take place when we SEE His eye, or are
sensitive to Him This is confirmed by the next verse, which speaks of stubbornness, which hinders leading. "Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you" (verse 10, NIV).

Rest assured, God is able to put a hook in your nose, like He did to Sennacherib. As it is written, "Because you have raged against me and your arrogance has come into my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came" (2 Kings 19:28; Isa 37:29). This was not for Sennacherib's good, however. In fact, it proved to be his undoing. God does not "establish" the goings of a person by this method, and woe to the person expecting Him to do so. Recalcitrant and rebellious souls are restrained by God from unduly hindering believers and the work of God. Men are NOT brought to heaven, however, by restraint. They are brought by guidance. Their faith is the eye of the soul that catches the eye of the Almighty, making them leadable.

PRAYER POINT: Father, Open my heart, in Jesus' name--that I may give heed to You and the things You have said.

-- TOMORROW: SMALL BEGINNINGS --