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 18 of 20

A RIGHTEOUS MAN'S CRY

The expressions of godly men are indispensable to the development of spiritual perspective. The reason for this situation is obvious. Faith brings its recipients to a common place. The Lord does not have differing or competing agendas. His "purpose" is an "eternal purpose," and He always leads in conjunction and harmony with that "purpose." Among other things, Scripture contains the expressions of souls in quest of that purpose. With one accord, they reveal their reliance upon the Lord's leading to bring them into accord with that "eternal purpose."

A reason to be led

"Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face" (David, Psa 5:80). Faith puts us at variance with the world. How clearly this is revealed in Christ's explanation to His disciples: "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19). The people of God belong to Him, and thus are delivered "from this present evil world" through Jesus Christ (Gal 1:4). Because of their translation into the "kingdom of His dear Son" Col 1:13), those clinging to the world order become their enemies. This is not the preference of the godly, but it is the unavoidable consequence of the identity with God's "dear Son."

These are not casual enemies. Our embrace of the truth is intimidating to them, and thus they oppose us. They look for us to make a mistake in order that they might justify their own ungodliness. Because of that situation, the Psalmist asked God to lead him.

"Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies" (David, Psa 27:11). Our enemies can be distracting to us; they can divert our attention from the goal. Knowing the sensitivity of the situation, David sought a "plain" and uncomplicated path. He did not want the way to God to become obscured by the distractions of this world. Such obscurity would become the occasion of stumbling. The Psalmist knew he could not navigate to glory without Divine direction, and thus he sought it.

The area of leading

"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day" (David, Psa 25:5). The only acceptable environment for divine guidance is "truth." That is the sanctifying element of the kingdom (John 17:17). In Scripture, "truth" means spiritual reality, particularly regarding the Lord's intention for those that love Him. Truth is always related to God's Person and purpose; Who He is and what He is doing. Also, it is also couched in the words of Scripture. There are no valid concepts of God that are not expressed in and founded upon His Word.

To be led by God in His truth is to learn from Him. This is a rational leading; i.e., one that involves perception and understanding. The result of Divine direction is the comprehension of the "good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:1-2). Those who present themselves to the Lord for such leading will not be disappointed!

For the Lord's sake

"For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me" (David, Psa 31:3). The glory of God is involved in us being led, or directed, from heaven. He is honored when we walk in His ways, and dishonored when we do not. Remember, heavenly hosts are learning of the wisdom of God "through the church" (Eph 3:9-10). The Lord leads us more for His glory than for our benefit. To be sure, we benefit from the leading, and that is not to be minimized; but the glory of God comes first! If purported "leadings" of the Spirit do not eventuate in the glory of God, the claim that they are of God is false. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The appointed means

"O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles" (Psa 43:3). Divine guidance comes by means of illumination-- when we are able to perceive the truth of God. The Lord "sends out" His "light" and "truth" when they are desired and sought. They become the enabling means through which progress is made in the faith. They are also the appointed way of overcoming darkness and delusion, the antithesis of light and truth.

Lead where?

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (David, Psa 61:2). When is a person's heart "overwhelmed?" Some would deny that such a thing is possible. The reality of the matter is that life requires more of us than "self" can deliver. We require resources transcendent to natural endowments, if we are to dwell in the house of the Lord forever! There is a "Rock that is higher than I;" a place where spiritual resources adequate to the challenge of life in this world may be appropriated.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Your Son, thank you for leading me where my own resources cannot take me--a place of safety and illumination.

-- TOMORROW: WAITING FOR THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS --