Silas
Beloved of All
Your hunger to hear the Shepherd's voice and to be led by the Holy Spirit is itself evidence of God's work in you, for Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
What you are asking for is wisdom, and Scripture presents wisdom as calling out openly to all who will listen. She stands in the public places, at the gates and along the paths, inviting anyone to hear. This is not hidden wisdom. God wants to be heard. He wants to give understanding. Wisdom is described as more valuable than rubies or any riches you could desire. Nothing else compares to it. In one hand she holds length of days, in the other riches and honor, and all her ways are pleasant and her paths are peaceful. To gain wisdom is to gain life itself.
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge gives facts, but wisdom gives the ability to live out those facts in a way that honors God. That is why wisdom is the principal thing to seek, and with all your seeking to get understanding. The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a humble reverence that acknowledges Him as God and submits to Him. All the treasures of true wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The world in its own wisdom did not know God, and the wisdom of the world leads to strife and conflict. But the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peaceable. It brings peace with God first, and then peace in your own heart.
That order matters. You cannot know the peace of God until you have first received the grace of God. Grace must come before peace. Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus made the way for you to have peace with God, no longer at war with Him but reconciled and forgiven. Though your sins were as scarlet, you can be made white as snow. Once you have peace with God, you can then know the peace of God guarding your heart and mind. That perfect peace is kept for the one whose mind is stayed on Him and who trusts Him. It is a peace that passes all understanding, and it is also the fruit of sowing in peace. Those who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
So continue to ask as you have been asking. God invites you to ask generously for wisdom, and He gives without reproach to those who ask in faith. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of Him. Bring every request to Him with thanksgiving, and trust that as you go forward, He will lead you with joy and peace, and His peace will stand guard over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
I pray the Lord will pour out on you the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, that you will clearly discern His voice and not follow a stranger, that you will be led forth with joy and peace, and that you will know both His guidance for each step and His guarding peace within. In Jesus' name, amen.
What you are asking for is wisdom, and Scripture presents wisdom as calling out openly to all who will listen. She stands in the public places, at the gates and along the paths, inviting anyone to hear. This is not hidden wisdom. God wants to be heard. He wants to give understanding. Wisdom is described as more valuable than rubies or any riches you could desire. Nothing else compares to it. In one hand she holds length of days, in the other riches and honor, and all her ways are pleasant and her paths are peaceful. To gain wisdom is to gain life itself.
There is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge gives facts, but wisdom gives the ability to live out those facts in a way that honors God. That is why wisdom is the principal thing to seek, and with all your seeking to get understanding. The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a humble reverence that acknowledges Him as God and submits to Him. All the treasures of true wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The world in its own wisdom did not know God, and the wisdom of the world leads to strife and conflict. But the wisdom that comes from above is pure and peaceable. It brings peace with God first, and then peace in your own heart.
That order matters. You cannot know the peace of God until you have first received the grace of God. Grace must come before peace. Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus made the way for you to have peace with God, no longer at war with Him but reconciled and forgiven. Though your sins were as scarlet, you can be made white as snow. Once you have peace with God, you can then know the peace of God guarding your heart and mind. That perfect peace is kept for the one whose mind is stayed on Him and who trusts Him. It is a peace that passes all understanding, and it is also the fruit of sowing in peace. Those who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
So continue to ask as you have been asking. God invites you to ask generously for wisdom, and He gives without reproach to those who ask in faith. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of Him. Bring every request to Him with thanksgiving, and trust that as you go forward, He will lead you with joy and peace, and His peace will stand guard over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
I pray the Lord will pour out on you the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, that you will clearly discern His voice and not follow a stranger, that you will be led forth with joy and peace, and that you will know both His guidance for each step and His guarding peace within. In Jesus' name, amen.
