A need to pray for : victim’s families
: political leaders
A need to heal from the : loss of life
: destruction
A need for guidance for :
our political, military, religious leaders.
us individually.
Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
A time of need...
Our nation needs : to pray, to heal, God’s guidance.
We need God’s guidance - President’s day of prayer
- Church service
I) TRUST IN HIS GUIDANCE Vs. 5a
What if...
You had $1M and you had to put someone in charge of it.
You were unable to raise your children and you had to choose a guardian.
You wanted to talk about your deepest darkest secrets.
You needed personal advise ?
Who would you choose ? Someone you trusted.
Spouse, Pastor, relative....
The Ladies Home Journal (Sept, 1981) asked, "In whom do you trust?"
Walter Cronkite 40% of the vote, Pope John Paul 26%, Billy Graham 6%, God 3%
Humans possess an inborn desire to trust.
The Politicians, Advertising agencies, Con men, Used car salesmen know it.
Guess who else knows it? God knows it.
"Trust in the Lord ..."
(Psa 9:9 KJV) The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
(Psa 9:10 KJV) And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
(Psa 62:8 KJV) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
A) ABRAM TRUSTED IN HIS GUIDANCE GEN 12:1-4
(Gen 12:1 KJV) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee:
(Gen 12:2 KJV) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
(Gen 12:3 KJV) And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
(Gen 12:4 KJV) So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
Notice this about Abram, he :
1. was open to God, listening.
2. knew the voice of God.
3. was not following his culture (Father an idolater).
4. walked by faith.
HEB 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
The result of his trusting:
1. Isaac was born.
2. The nation of Israel.
3. Descendants as stars and sand.
4. The linage of Messiah.
B) NEHEMIAH TRUSTED IN HIS GUIDANCE
Notice this about Nehemiah, He :
1) knew that if God was guiding him, he would be successful.
2) didn’t fear opposition.
3) didn’t give up.
Neh 4:14 (NAS)
When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
C) HEZEKIAH TRUSTED IN HIS GUIDANCE 2 KIN 19:19
Sennacherib (king of Assyria) threatened Hezekiah (king of Judah).
Assyrians destroyed surrounding lands.
Notice this about Hezekiah, he :
1. was afraid.
2. trusted in the face of death (They were outnumbered).
3. affected others in his decision.
4. prayed.
D) PHILIP TRUSTED IN HIS GUIDANCE ACTS 8:26,27
Acts 8:26-27 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road). And he arose and went; and behold, there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship.
Notice this about Philip :
1) God didn’t reveal all His plans at once.
2) He obeyed immediately.
3) He took a risk (desert).
Result : Ethiopian conversion.
II) DON’T DEPEND ON YOUR OWN GUIDANCE Vs. 5b
Trusting our own guidance...
A) CAUSES US TO MISS OUT ON GOD’S BEST Joshua 9:14,15
God told Joshua to posses the land.
Men of Gibeon pretended to be from a far country.
Joshua made a covenant with them w/o asking for guidance.
Josh 9:14 And the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live and the leaders of the assembly ratified it with an oath.
When I don’t pray, I miss out.
The point is... Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.
Pilots are trained to trust their instruments - regardless of feeling.
Vertigo - equilibrium off.
Sometimes we feel out of control.
Prov 28:26 (NAS) He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.
Trusting in our own guidance...
B) SHOWS A LACK OF TRUST IN GOD
MATT 18:2,3 Jesus taught that trusting God required childlike faith.
Children trust completely - e.g. Lauren.
God wants us to trust like this.
Trusting God is like bunji jumping.
Do you trust this bunji cord ?
You can... Watch it on T.V.
Have friends who do it.
Own stock in the bunji cord company
Subscribe to bunji jumping magazine
Join a bunji jumpers club
Stand on a bridge strapped up & ready to jump
But you haven’t trusted the cord until you jump!!!
There aren’t any 1/2 hearted bunji jumpers - It takes TOTAL COMMITMENT.
Trusting God takes TOTAL COMMITMENT.
When I trust my own guidance I am saying....
“I trust the bunji cord” but I won’t jump.
III) ACKNOWLEDGE HIM FOR HIS GUIDANCE Vs. 6a
A) ACKNOWLEDGE HIM IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE
To admit, recognize, confess, to have knowledge of, consider, be aware of....
To have a constant attitude of considering Him in everything.
Questions :
How can I determine God’s direction in my life ?
Red light, Green light.
What should I do when I pray and there is no apparent direction ?
Believe He is guiding you.
IV) HE PROMISES GUIDANCE Vs. 6b
A) HIS PROMISES ARE SURE
He is not hidden from us...
Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psa 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psa 73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Psa 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Psa 139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If you ask for His guidance you are guaranteed it.
