Gods will and guidance

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Chrysostom]

Your prayer for God's will and guidance has been heard, and we join you in asking that His will be done in your life and in your family. It is right and good to seek to be led in His way, especially when you have struggled financially for a while. God does not forget those who seek Him, and even in hardship He is at work to teach, to strengthen, and to draw you closer to Himself.

All things appear difficult to us when we do not keep the remembrance of God always before us, when we do not carry Him in our thoughts. The prophet says, I will remember You from the land of Jordan. So in this season, keep remembering Him. Seek Him first in prayer, in His Word, and in a faithful church life, and trust that as you remember Him, He will guide your steps. His guidance is not always an immediate change in circumstances, but a steady leading toward what is good and holy. He has entrusted to each of us a work to do, to labor and to struggle faithfully where He has placed us, trusting Him for the outcome.

You asked about what is causing the struggle and about asking forgiveness for whatever you are reaping, even from generations back. Hear what Scripture teaches with clarity and comfort. The Son of God has come and He alone is the way of salvation, and through His cross He has borne the curse for us. The Word says the son shall not bear the guilt of the father, but each one will answer for his own ways. There is no hidden generational debt that remains unforgiven once a person is in Christ. What does pass from one generation to another are patterns, habits and examples, and these we can turn from by repentance and by learning a new way in Christ.

For this reason it is best to avoid sin in the first place, and next to it, to feel that we have sinned and to amend ourselves thoroughly. When we pray for forgiveness, God does not want vague words about unknown faults from long ago. He wants us to tell our offenses in particular, that we may learn for what we receive forgiveness and become grateful to our Benefactor. So bring before Him what you know to be sin in your own life, in plain and honest confession. If you have sinned, you have for your Master One who loves mankind. Entreat Him, implore Him with a sincere heart, and trust His promise that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive.

And there is a way to forgiveness that needs no long journey or great expense, but only our own willing heart. As we have been forgiven a great debt, so we are called to forgive those who have injured or defrauded us and not to bear malice. This willingness to forgive others keeps our own heart soft before God.

Be encouraged that God is surpassingly benevolent. The servant in the parable asked only for time to pay, but the master moved with compassion forgave the entire debt. You ask for guidance and for help, and He is able to give more than you ask, remission and mercy and daily grace. Believe the declaration of God more than what sight or feeling tells you. His Word does not fail.

So we will keep you and your family in prayer. We pray that God will grant you wisdom for work and for stewardship, contentment and diligence, and that He will provide for your needs according to His riches in Christ. We pray that He will show each of you any sin that needs to be confessed particularly, and that you will know the joy of full forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone. We pray that you will remember Him continually and that He will make His will clear as you walk faithfully day by day.

Continue to seek Him, to confess honestly, to forgive freely, and to labor faithfully in the place He has set you, trusting His compassion and His leading.