GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
BY REV. A. G. DANIELS.
If any of you
lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally, and it shall
be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth
is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. Let not that man
think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.-(Rev. Ver.) James i:5-7.
In those last sad
and tender conversation of Jesus with His disciples, he promised the coming of
One who is called in our English Bible “The Comforter.” While that word “Comforter”
is a very precious word to all our hearts, yet it by no means exhausts the
meaning of the word that Jesus used. Perhaps the word “Helper” comes as near it
as any other word that we have. He is not only our “Comforter” in the hour of
bereavement and in the time of discouragement, but He is our effectual and
loving “Helper” at all times-our Comforter, our Guardian, our Adviser, our
Guide. He is everything that we need as we journey though life,-constantly at
our side to keep our feet from falling: to lead us in the right way: to supply
our every want: to encourage us when cast down: to comfort us when our hearts
are bruised and almost broken under bereavement.
It is of the
Spirit’s guidance that this article would treat,-a subject that is not only
much neglected, but against which there is much prejudice. So much fanaticism
has marched under the banner of the Holy Spirit’s special guidance, that it is
to be feared that many of us are in danger of losing sight of the real truth.
(1) The real,
personal presence of the Holy Spirit to be our Guide in all the ways of life is
taught in the word of God. “He shall teach you all things.” “He will guide you
in all truth.” “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
“If any of you lacketh wisdom,” etc. Over and over again in this Book His
guidance in the minutest affairs of life is declared, and when not declared it
is always assumed.
(2) The Spirit is
here in the world not only as our Guide in general, pointing out the general
direction of the path of duty, but He is here to guide each step in the way.
That it is only
in His strength that we are able to perform any Christian duty, no one
questions. And we may have that strength, not only for the general duties of
life, but for each particular duty as it comes to us. In the same way we may
have His guidance, not only for the journey of life as a whole, but for each
step in that journey. He no more truly promises strength to the weak than
He promises wisdom to him that lacketh. Each day in life brings its duties. Our strength is not sufficient for any one of
them. But we have only to ask trustingly, and strength comes from the Almighty
One. Each day brings its perplexities. Now and then a great question calls for
decision, a question affecting our whole life and well being of others. We are
ignorant; we lack wisdom. We know not whether to turn to the right or to the
left, to go straight forward or to turn back. What shall we do? Ask wisdom of
Him who giveth liberally and it shall be given. We need not take one
step out of the path that God chooses for us, we may have His guidance at every
turn.
(3) How may we
ascertain His will and be sure of His guidance? At the outset of its essential
that the Soul be wholly given up to Him, and that we seek His will in
the spirit of implicit obedience. When a traveler inquires of you the way to a
certain city, unless he intends to follow in the way that is pointed out, even
if that way seem rough, even if it be necessary to turn round and retrace his
steps,-unless he intends to obey directions, in pointing out the right way you
are but wasting your time and your words. God does not waste time in that way.
If we do not intend to follow our Guide we may not have His guidance. This
spirit of implicit obedience is to Him the test of our sincerity in asking wisdom.
To him that only waits to know God’s will that he may cheerfully obey, the Spirit
reveals His will in three ways. First-Through the Scriptures. Here we have
broad, general principles that are readily applied by consecrated soul to all
the details of life. Let these God-given principles be mastered: let them be
digested and assimilated, thus becoming a part of our very selves, and the
guidance of the Spirit will thus becoming a part of our very selves, and the
guidance of the Spirit will become a real thing to us day by day. Imbued with
these living principles, questions of “expediency” will be less bewildering. Nothing
less than omniscience can always know what is expedient. Any consecrated soul
may know what is right. In these scriptures, too, we have explicit
directions in regard to many of life’s duties. As, for instance, in regard
to conversation, dress, conformity to the world, etc. The close student of the Bible
will find these explicit direction surprisingly numerous. In times of
perplexity, then, search the Scriptures. They are a present message to each of
us from our Father. The habit of opening the Bible at random for an intimation
of God’s will, claims a word in passing. While God can make known His will in
this way, guiding the finger and the eye, and may at times do so, yet it must
not take the place of the most careful and prayerful searching of His
word.
Second-Through
His providences. God is in every event of history. His providences express His
will as truly as His word. Both need to be read correctly. We should carefully
and patiently study every little event of life that we may know His will as
expressed therein. But do not be in a hurry. He that runneth may read the glad
tidings of salvation, but he that would read God’s will in His providences must
often go down on his knees and creep. If God does not give the needed guidance
in His word, “wait on the Lord” and the meaning of His providences shall be
made clear. Do not take one step, however, until your Guide bids you. He will
bring you to your journey’s end at just the right time. You will not be late,
so do not be impatient to proceed.
Third-Through
direct impressions upon the heart. How? I do not know. I do not know how mind
reaches mind. I know it does. The thoughts of my mind issue their commands to
this pen and certain characters are traced upon this paper. In this way these
same thoughts are reproduced in the mind of the editor, then in the mind of the
publisher, and then, through the printed page, in the mind of the reader. I do
not know how heart reaches heart, even when no word has been spoken, but I know
it does. I do not know how God’s Spirit impresses His mind upon my heart, but I
know He does. If my fellow-traveler knows the way to my mind and my heart,
surely my Guide knows as much.
But Satan also
may make impressions upon the mind. The most sincere Christians may be greatly
in error. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God.”
1. These
impressions must be in harmony with God’s word. Some, imagining that they were
exalting the Holy Spirit, have both ignored and violated scripture. God does
not contradict Himself.
2. Where there is
no scripture, the impression must accord with your judgment sanctified by the desire
to do only His will.
If you are not
clear in your impression of duty, wait on the Lord in the attitude of
obedience. If from Him, it will grow stronger; if not, it will grow weaker and
disappear. He who sincerely desires to know only the Lord’s will, and delights
to do that will, who at the same time is faithfully on guard against false impressions,
will seldom go astray. To such God gives wisdom liberally and unbraideth not.
But wisdom is not promised to everyone. (1) It is not given to those who do not
ask for it. Many are trying to make the journey of life without any Guide. Many
Christians almost ignore His presence. He does not intrude His company upon
any. This Guide makes no charge for His services, but He must be employed. (2)
Divine guidance is not promised to those who do not ask in faith, “nothing doubting.”
He promises to guide those that ask His guidance. If you do not trust that
promise, do not think that you “shall receive anything from the Lord.” Take His
hand reverently and trustingly and go forward, “nothing doubting.”
