A Treatise on Divine leading.
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV): By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Long before the invention of cars and GPS technology, humans navigated their surroundings, searching for sustenance, shelter, and security. Yet, despite today’s advanced navigation tools like Google Maps, it’s astonishing how easily one can still get lost. Throughout human history, individuals have navigated their surroundings often relying on instinct to guide their journeys. In the past, people would venture forth, unaware of their ultimate destination and settle for the night only to continue their travels the following day. This nomadic pattern persisted until they stumbled upon a place they could call home.
The concept of mapping as we know it today evolved over time. Ancient civilizations recognized the importance of documenting their travels to avoid getting lost. This innovative spirit led to the development of maps, which underwent significant transformations throughout the centuries. The earliest recorded maps originated in Ancient Babylon around 3000 BC. These primitive maps were inscribed on clay tablets, providing rudimentary illustrations of the surrounding landscape. As civilizations progressed, so did cartography. Ancient Egyptians adopted papyrus as their mapping medium, while the Iron Age saw the emergence of stone carvings. The advent of paper revolutionized map-making, enabling the creation of hand-drawn manuscripts. The introduction of printing in the 15th century further facilitated map production. Aerial photography introduced in the early 20th century offered a new perspective on mapping, followed by satellite imaging which has become a cornerstone of modern cartography.
Remarkably, the Global Positioning System (GPS) has only been available for approximately five decades, dating back to its inception in 1978. This realization is astounding, considering how integral GPS has become to our daily lives. It begs the question: how did our ancestors navigate the globe with such precision before the advent of GPS technology?
Let’s imagine the conversation Abraham had with his family: "God has instructed us to leave our homeland." "Where are we going?" they asked. "I don’t know," Abraham replied, "but God promised we will receive the place as an inheritance." This exchange must have seemed absurd, even reckless to those who didn’t share his conviction. However, Abraham’s trust in God’s guidance defied reason. He embarked on a perilous journey fueled solely by faith. His willingness to venture into the unknown without the aid of maps or GPS demonstrates an unshakeable confidence in God’s promise.
Father Abraham’s story serves as a powerful reminder that true navigation often requires more than just technological tools. It demands faith, trust, and obedience. His legacy encourages us to look beyond our modern conveniences and rely on a deeper guidance, one that transcends human understanding. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, Abraham’s example reminds us that the greatest navigational tool is often the one that resides within: faith. By embracing this timeless principle, we can navigate life’s uncertainties with courage, confidence, and the assurance of a divine inheritance.
Meanwhile, It is important to recognize that God consistently guides His people, as stated in Isaiah 48:17, "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; ...who leads you in the way you should go." This verse emphasizes God’s unwavering willingness to lead His people.
Furthermore, it is crucial to acknowledge that every individual, regardless of their religious affiliations or beliefs, inherently desires guidance. Even those who claim to be irreligious often seek direction in various aspects of life, such as career advancement or personal success. Deep down, everyone craves guidance, and if presented with an opportunity to discover a path leading to breakthroughs or achievements, they will likely seize it.
In my opinion, genuinely rooted in scripture, God leads every individual, whether they acknowledge Him or not. God remains in control, sustaining, saving, and directing each person through life’s diverse paths. While it may seem unconventional, even those who do not believe in God are in some way subject to His guidance, as He orchestrates events according to His will (Ephesians 1:11). This phenomenon occurs because our God is not a distant, uninvolved deity, as deism suggests. Instead, He is an intimate, personal God who interferes in the affairs of His creation. Through His immanence, God gave humanity His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Spirit, enabling fellowship and guidance.
When discussing God’s leading, we often focus on extraordinary, spectacular events. While these occurrences still happen today, I urge everyone to remain open to God’s guidance in all its forms. We must avoid limiting God to our preconceived expectations as this will undoubtedly cause us to miss His leading.
God, in His sovereignty, communicates with His people in diverse ways and manners as He chooses (Hebrews 1:1). We must acknowledge that God alone determines the method of communication, not us. He may lead through spectacular means or ordinary, everyday experiences. As Isaiah 48:17 reminds us, God leads us in the way we should go, but He doesn’t always reveal the "how." This divine guidance is tailored to each individual and situation, making every experience unique.
For believers, consistent Bible reading and prayer can make divine leading a natural part of daily life. If you want to experience consistent leading by God then you should probably pray more, cultivating intimacy with God, we can trust His guidance and move forward with confidence, just like Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4).
The life of Kenneth E. Hagin, a renowned minister, illustrates this principle. Despite experiencing extraordinary visions, including encounters with Jesus and a visit to hell, Hagin’s ministry was not initiated through dramatic revelations. Instead, he simply knew God’s calling and purpose for his life, and he fully committed to it. This testimony emphasizes that divine leading often comes through inner conviction and peace, rather than solely through spectacular experiences. By trusting God’s ability and following His lead, we can fulfill our destinies and impact lives worldwide.
Just as Ananias experienced, God can disrupt our routine morning devotion with specific instructions, speaking to us in an audible voice, and guiding us directly to individuals like Paul. Alternatively, He may lead us to traverse various cities, preaching the Gospel like Apostle Paul, until we receive guidance to refrain from entering a particular place or to proceed to a specific location, such as Macedonia. Ultimately, it is the same God at work, orchestrating events according to His sovereign will.
Conclusively, for some of my friends that graduated alongside myself, and are asking good questions like: God is it Canada or Nasarawa?, Lagos or Abuja?, you can rely on God as your spiritual GPS, trusting His guidance and provision, even when uncertainty surrounds us. May we remain open to God’s unique methods of communication and guidance, embracing His sovereignty and provision in every aspect of life. May we confidently trust in His divine leadership, acknowledging that He leads us in the way we should go, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
Love you! *Insert Pastey’s Lead me*
