God’s Strange Yet Faithful Guidance

01 Aug God’s Strange Yet Faithful Guidance

Posted at 08:00h in English Service, Featured by

Deacon Hui Zhen - 11 December 2014

True Gospel Man, The Wise Builder, The Gospel-Driven Living

A true gospel man knows that the reason why Jesus gave the sermon on the mount is not to force upon us a certain code of conducts that believers should adhere too. Instead, he knows that God wants us to restore the original love with God in Christ, one that is grounded in love, and thus fearless. A gospel man knows that he is called by the gospel not because of his esteemed conditions but purely the grace and sovereignty of Lord, despite his weaknesses and ordinary conditions. Because of the irrevocable love of God, he will want to face the Lord in all things and in all times, and his focus will gradually be shifted from the earthly matters to the matters concerning the kingdom of God, the spiritual matters. No one can walk in this journey of faith without confirming what God has done in her life, and how faithfully God has led her through all this while. If the gospel we believe in is true and from God, He will prove Himself to be true - our eyes will be able to see the evidences of His sovereign leading in our lives if we live in obedience to God - for the fruits of the Spirit will emerge and blossom in our lives, inside out. Test and confirm if you have been walking closely with God today. One who is walking closely and needing Lord at all times will delight herself in prayers in all things and in all times, only want to hear from God alone. The set apart life she leads will lead to beautiful spiritual fruits developing in her life, manifesting the glory of God through all her conditions.

From Series: Topical Messages, All English Service | More Messages from Deacon Hui Zhen

Download Video     View Notes     Download Video

More Messages Associated With "Knowing Jesus"...

Powered by Series Engine

<Exodus 13>

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 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. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

 

Strange: Led them on a detour when there was shorter route.

  • Few days/weeks journey >>> 40 years

 

Why God’s guidance was so “strange”?

1) God know things we don’t <v17>.

  • Danger unbeknown to us.
  • Our faith level, what we can bear and what we can’t.
  • Yes, God will stretch us, but not “over-stretch”.

 

2) God was setting the stage for His greater victory and Pharaoh’s bigger defeat.

 

The best way is not the shortest, fastest or easiest way, but God’s way.

  • “Shortest” may become “furthest” from the Promised Land.
  • What is important is not shortest, but “safest”.
  • “Hard” way may be the “easier” way.
  • Longer, harder way >>> learn to completely rely on God, build faith and resilience.
  • Longer, harder way >>> better manifest God’s glory.
  • Even if God gives us shorter, faster, easier way, will we surely follow God?
  • It is not whether the route is short/long, easy/hard, BUT whether we are guided by God.
  • Do not only aim for “fastest” way in evangelism.
  • Be careful of letting a person serve in important position too fast.

 

Must not be too quick to grumble.

  • Sometimes when look back, we may even thank God for not answering our prayers.
  • Learn to find reasons to thank God for certain detours.
  • Wherever God leads us, His presence will be with us.
  • He will not keep us in the wilderness forever.

 

Our problem: Hard to see God’s guidance without a visible pillar of fire/cloud.

  • God wants us to restore living by faith, not by sight.
  • We received what is better than pillar of fire/cloud: Holy Spirit and God’s word.
  • Holy Spirit guides not just outside us, but within us.
  • God’s word is light and fire <Ps 119:105; Jer 23:29>.
  • Not true that it is easier to follow God if we have the visible pillar.
  • The problem is never “God didn’t guide us”, but “we didn’t follow Him”.

 

Reflection

  1. Can you find any reasons to give thanks for the detours you went through in your life? Why is the fastest and shortest way not always the best and safest? Share how you have confirmed that God’s way is the best way.
  2. How can you see and follow the guidance of God without a visible pillar of fire/cloud?
Print page
Avatar
Preacher Hui Jun
[email protected]

Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

No Comments