AVIZANDUM: God's Leading

Avizandam. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum As followers of Jesus Christ, we wonder what this year will bring. Life is not always easy, but it does have its mountain tops and joyful experiences.

I love the concept of a Christian being described as a follower of Jesus. It means that Jesus goes ahead of us. And then we follow him. As Moses is about to die and hand over the leadership of the Israelites to Joshua, he instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua is not to fear.

Then in Deuteronomy 31 verse 8 we read It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. These are incredible promises. We're probably more familiar with the idea of Jesus being with us, and never forsaking us, rather than the encouraging truth that the Lord goes before us.

Because Jesus is ahead of us, we're not to fear. We're not to be dismayed. And as you begin this new year, you may have fears, and concerns, and even anxieties. But we find comfort knowing that the Lord is going before us. If we're following the Lord, we can rely on this.

He will never lead us into sin. He will deliver us from temptation. He will always be our shield and protector. The Lord goes before us. What an encouragement When the Israelites were delivered from the slavery of Egypt, God led them through the Red Sea.

We read in Exodus 13, and the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way. and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light. that they might travel by day and by night. the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from them before the people. When the cloud moved, the Israelites moved.

When the clouds stopped, the Israelites stopped. God gave them clear guidance. I picture an Israelite coming out of his tent one morning and looking up and seeing the cloud. or on a dark night, looking up to the sky and seeing the pillar, of fire. The cloud and fire were reminders Now the Lord was with them.

and the Lord was going to lead them, and they were only to follow. King David writes in Psalm 23 that the Good Shepherd leads us in the paths of righteousness. For his name's sake, Frequently in the Psalms we have prayers for God's guidance. For example, Psalm twenty five, verse four Make me to know your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation. For you I wait all the day long. Here is the humility of the believer. and the trust in God for guidance.

Again in Psalm thirty two verse eight, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you. God gives us his instructions, his commands, to teach us. We're to learn. To obey.

and to follow the Lord as He guides us. Verse nine of Psalm thirty two goes on to say, be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding. which must be curbed with a bit and bridle. or it will not stay near you. That's a tough way to be led.

like an unruly horse that needs a bit between its teeth before it will go the way of its master.

Sometimes we can be stubborn like donkeys. and we need our Heavenly Father's discipline. Followers of Jesus are to walk by the Spirit and so not to fulfil the lusts and desires of our flesh. We also have the infallible word of God which states that we are to live holy lives and present our bodies as living sacrifices to God. There are commandments to obey.

For example, the command of baptism regularly meeting with the Lord's people. breaking bread, praying. reading the holy scriptures are a few such commands to be followed. If we are concerned with a particular course of action, We should always ask ourselves whither Jesus is leading us. to this specific action.

Is this action honouring the Lord? Is the indwelling Spirit giving us peace? Is there anything in Scripture which would guide us in this particular issue? Have we obtained counsel from maturer believers who may help us discern God's will? If we are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, There's no need to be anxious about God's will.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Live humbly before him. daily ask for his direction. Meditate on the word of God. He will guide you.

He goes before you. Follow Jesus. Avazander. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.