Dear Friend,

     Does God want to be involved in every step we take? Is He willing to concern Himself with the mundane decisions we need to make? Will He actively lead us and guide us?

     The landscape of the society around us is becoming more complex, and decisions we face in these days may have significant consequences for us. It is not a time for us to “go it alone.” More than ever, our focus needs to remain on the Lord for the guidance we need.

 

The Details Matter to Him

     One of the greatest blessings of my work at DPM is receiving comments that come from our many friends of DPM by way of our various communication streams—social media, emails, letters, phone calls, and personal interactions. The responses take the form of testimonies, urgent situations, sharing of insights, and desperate prayer needs. But a large percentage of the communications are simply practical, every-day matters that need prayer.

     Recently, a dear sister sent a message to DPM about a prayer issue facing her family: "We're living in a rental house, and the lease expires January 31st, 2022….We desire to be in God's will in all areas of our lives, and where we live is the area that we're talking and praying about now….We are willing to go wherever God wants us to go—whether that means staying in the area, or this house, or moving to somewhere new."

     Back to our question at the beginning of the letter: Does God desire to get involved in such practical matters in our lives? I firmly believe He does. In fact, I believe He expects us to regularly bring these decisions to Him, seeking His answer for the guidance we need.
 

A Reassuring Promise

     In my response to our dear sister, I should have included a note about one of my favorite passages from the Bible—so I will do it here instead. Regarding guidance for the decisions we need to make, the Lord gives us an encouraging promise in Isaiah 30:21: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” No ifs, ands, or buts. We will hear it.

     The NIV says, “your ears will hear a voice,” and the New Living says, “Your own ears will hear Him.” What a promise! God’s very own voice to supply the guidance we need.

     Ironically, Isaiah 30 starts with God rebuking “the rebellious children” of Israel for not listening to His voice: “who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit…who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice.”

 

Taking a Moment

     When I look back at the mistakes I have made throughout my life, most of them came because I moved forward without waiting to “hear His voice.” How many times have you and I reacted in our own strength and wisdom, when it would have only taken a moment to say, “Lord Jesus, what would You like me to do now?” And then wait for Him to reply.

     Actually, in another favorite passage, Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord commands that we ask, promising to respond: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” Will we take time to call to Him—and hear His answer?

     David knew the power of such a moment. He began Psalm 31 with, “In You, O L_ORD, I put my trust.” In verse 3, he continued with the following prayer: “For Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.” David knew precisely where to turn for the guidance he needed.

A Lifestyle of Listening

     One of the great models for a lifestyle of following God’s guidance was Derek Prince, who shared valuable insights on that topic. In the following quote from his radio series on “Hearing God’s Voice,” Derek applies an insight from the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 50.

  

     This lifestyle I’m talking about—of hearing God’s Word as daily bread, of having the Holy Spirit speak to us daily and personally—was the lifestyle of Jesus Himself. He didn’t merely preach it; He practiced it….Jesus began each day listening to the Father. Here are some of the results that followed from His listening to the Father like that each day.

     First of all, He had words of encouragement for others. Secondly, He received personal direction for each day Himself. Thirdly, He received obedience. (You know, hearing God’s voice produces obedience.) Fourthly, He received strength to go through all that He had to go through. He needed more than human strength. He needed supernatural strength, and He received that through hearing the Father’s voice. Fifthly, He received determination. He said, “I’ve set My face like a flint; I’m not turning back.” [See Luke 9:51.]

     All that came to Jesus through hearing the Father’s voice—and hearing God’s voice will do the same for us as it did for Jesus. We need to cultivate that habit of letting the Lord waken our ear each morning that we may hear His voice first thing.

 

Help for Our Decisions

     Do you want that same lifestyle Derek describes in the segment from his radio series? Are you facing some life-impacting decisions right now? Do you need specific direction and guidance for the steps you need to take?

     Let’s take a moment now to place our need for guidance before the Lord.

     
    Lord Jesus, I am facing some decisions that may determine the course and destiny of my entire life. Some are huge issues. Others are every-day decisions that will still make a difference in what happens in my future. I acknowledge here and now that I don’t want to “go it alone.” I want Your guidance. I need Your presence as I continue my journey with You.

     Right now, I bring before You every decision I am facing. I trust You with these decisions, Lord, and I affirm what You have promised—that I can call to You and You will answer; that I will hear Your voice behind me, guiding me in the steps I should take; that You will indeed lead me and guide me for Your name’s sake. Thank You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

    

Peace and Relief

     I don’t know about you, but a sense of peace has just entered my heart through the prayer we have offered. What a relief to realize that the weight of those decisions no longer rests only on our shoulders! You and I have gone to the Source for the guidance we need.

     All of us at DPM want to help as you continue to shift the burden of these decisions to the Lord. We stand ready to provide you with materials that will affirm the steps you are taking, and we are praying for you as you move forward. Please feel free to download “Hearing God’s Voice, Part 1,” the message from which Derek’s quote came, as a resource to you in the days ahead. We are delighted to provide it free of charge—just one additional way for us to thank you again for your prayers and financial support for the work of DPM.

    

Knowing Where to Turn

     The bedrock promises of God’s guidance in the days ahead are a great source of peace and security. Beyond the good feelings, however, His direction will need to be “standing operating equipment” for us in the tumultuous days we may be facing in our society.

     Without a doubt, however, the promise of guidance does bring a sense of comfort and confidence. As I have been working on this letter, the words of an old hymn I sang as a child have been in my mind: “He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heav’nly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be—Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.”

     What a joy to know the Source to Whom we can turn for the guidance we need!

    

All the best,

 

 

 

Dick Leggatt
President, DPM–USA

P.S. Thank you again for standing with us in such a faithful way. Please make sure to strengthen yourself further in the theme of this letter through the free message we are offering to you: “Hearing God’s Voice, Part 1.” Blessings to you as He leads you!