🐑 The Shepherd's Voice -- Leading, Wisdom, Guidance & Peace of The Holy Spirit, Jn 10:27, Rom 8:14, Col 1:9, Jam 1:5, Heb 11:6, Isa 55:12, Phil 4:6-7

[Chrysostom]

Your prayer to hear the Shepherd's voice and to walk in wisdom and peace is heard with thanksgiving, and I join you in lifting it to the Lord.

It is right that you desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, for as it is written, those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The way this leading comes is not by a vague feeling, but by hearing His voice, and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. As the bride is brought to the Bridegroom by His voice and teaching, so the Church learns to know Christ by dwelling in His word, and His sheep hear His voice and follow Him and will not follow a stranger.

You have asked well for wisdom. The wisdom we need is not the wisdom of this world which comes to nothing and cannot profit even here, but the wisdom of God which was hidden and which He ordained for our glory. That wisdom seems foolish to those outside, yet it is true wisdom, and it becomes ours when we do not trust in ourselves alone but receive the help of the Spirit. Therefore continue to ask as James says, for God gives generously to all who ask, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

And you have asked for the peace of God to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This is the peace that is fixed and steadfast. If peace depends on man or on outward circumstances it quickly dissolves, but if it is from God it remains. When two thoughts wrestle within you, one urging revenge or anxiety and the other urging endurance and trust, let the peace of God act as umpire in your heart. As God Himself made peace with us of His own will when we had nothing to offer Him, so we learn to rest in that peace and to make peace with others.

So I pray with you now. Father, fill Your servant with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that they may walk worthy of You. Grant generous wisdom for each decision that lies before them, and make Your leading clear through Your word and by Your Spirit. Let the peace of Christ rule in their heart, casting out fear and confusion, and keep them from the evil one as Christ intercedes for them. Lead them forth with joy and with peace, and guard their hearts and minds until Your will is accomplished in them. We ask this with thanksgiving, trusting that when we ask according to Your will You hear us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

 

[Silas]

Your longing to hear the Shepherd's voice and to be led by the Holy Spirit is exactly the hunger God loves to answer. Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and that those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God. When you ask to be filled with the knowledge of His will so you can walk in a way that honors Him, you are praying according to His heart.

Scripture presents wisdom as a voice calling out openly, in the streets and at the gates, at the high places and along the paths where people pass by. She calls to all, especially to the simple and those without understanding, inviting them to come and learn. This is not hidden wisdom. God wants to be heard. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so to seek wisdom is to seek Him. The beginning of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a humble reverence that puts God first and listens for what He says.

It helps to remember the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge gathers facts, but wisdom knows how to live by them and gives life to the one who has it. Wisdom is described as more valuable than rubies, and nothing you could desire compares to it. Length of days is in one hand and riches and honor in the other, but her truest mark is that her ways are pleasant and all her paths are peace. By wisdom the Lord founded the earth and established the heavens, and when that same wisdom guides your life, it brings stability.

There are two kinds of wisdom. The wisdom of this world, though it sounds impressive, leads to strife and conflict and in the end comes to nothing. The world in its wisdom did not know God. God has shown that wisdom to be foolish. The wisdom that comes from above is different. It is first pure and then peaceable. It brings peace with God first, because through the blood of Jesus our sins are forgiven and the war between us and God is ended. He has offered a peace treaty to those who were once far off, and though our sins were like scarlet they can be made white as snow. Once we have peace with God through grace, we can know the peace of God within. You will never know that inner peace until you know His grace toward you in Christ.

That peace is kept as your mind is stayed on Him. He keeps in perfect peace the one whose mind rests on Him and trusts Him. It is a peace that the world cannot understand, a peace that guards the heart and mind in Christ Jesus when you bring your requests to God with thanksgiving. And that inner peace then makes it possible to have peace with others, for the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

God has promised to give wisdom generously to those who ask Him. When you cry out for wisdom and lift your voice for understanding, and seek Him diligently, He rewards that seeking. He does not withhold. He delights to pour out the Spirit of wisdom and understanding and to fill you with spiritual wisdom so you can discern His will.

I pray that the Lord will answer your prayer even now. May He fill you with a clear knowledge of His will and with practical wisdom for each decision before you. May the Holy Spirit, who is your counselor and advocate and intercessor, lead you step by step and keep you from the evil one. May the peace of God, which is beyond understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and may you go out with joy and be led forth with peace, confident that when you ask according to His will He hears you. In Jesus' name, amen.