Direction

Psalms 143:8 NIV Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

How is this as an understatement – Life can be complex. Life can feel like navigating a never-ending maze of challenges, obstacles, and tests. Each day we make choices and decisions that affect relationships, careers, health, finances, and our future. While we may be surprised or unprepared, God is never taken off guard and promises to show us the way if only we ask.

Moment by moment, we must choose whether to live by trial and error, often repeating the same painful mistakes, or live by God’s divine guidance. We must first recognize that life unfolds according to God’s timetable and direction, not ours. Many of us make the mistake of relying on our own calculations to determine God’s will, with goals and objectives that often were not set by God. We add up the pros and cons and assume that the answer or outcome is a clear indication of God’s direction. However, sometimes the straightest line between points A and B is not the route God chooses for us.

God can sometimes speak and lead in very unconventional ways. We must let go of what we think is normal or expected and embrace the fact that we serve a God who sent a fish to swallow Jonah to redirect him, blinded Paul with His glory on the road to Damascus to change the trajectory of his life, and made a donkey speak to Balaam, resetting his life and mission. As the Israelites left Egypt after 400 years of bondage, God provided constant direction and guidance in another previously unseen way, “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or night” Exodus 13:21 NIV.

But often, we miss God’s guidance simply because we fail to ask for it. We make choices and decisions, some of which seem trivial at the moment, but have lasting consequences. Throughout scripture, God calls for us to seek him for direction and decisions, promising to show us the way, establish our steps, make our path smooth, and light the way. But there is a significant role we play in receiving God’s direction and guidance.

The disciplines of listening and waiting are vital to receiving God’s direction. In an all too common occurrence, David was battling the Philistines when 1 Samuel 5:23-25 states, “David inquired of the Lord, and He answered, Do not go straight up, but circle behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” David’s success came because he first inquired of the Lord, listened for God’s response, acted as God had instructed, and waited for the assurance that God had gone before him to ensure victory.

We must be mindful of God’s gentle nudges and avoid bulldozing through obstacles under the guise of determination.  Ultimately, we must approach life with a humble and flexible heart, recognizing that our plans are not set in stone. By writing our plans in pencil and giving God the eraser, we demonstrate our willingness to surrender to His divine wisdom and guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6  reminds us God is still in the business of providing direction and guidance and if we just acknowledge Him in all our ways, He promises to direct our steps.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To subscribe: Go to livingoaksministry.com                                   Copyright 2025 Living Oaks Ministry

Gary and Sandy Anthony

Isaiah 30:20-21 TPT Even though the Lord may allow you to go through a season of hardship and difficulty, he himself will be there with you. He will not hide himself from you, for your eyes will constantly see him as your Teacher. When you turn to the right or turn to the left, you will hear his voice behind you to guide you, saying, This is the right path; follow it.

Psalms 32:7-8 NIV You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Isaiah 58:11 NLT The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.

Isaiah 42:16 NIV I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 NIV So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Isaiah 35:8-9 NIV And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there.

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Isaiah 48:17 NIV This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Joshua 1:7 NIV Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Psalms 25:8-9 NLT The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

1 John 2:26-27 NLT I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.