Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your desire to follow God's leading rather than only your own personal goals is good and right before Him, and I thank God for the hunger you have expressed for His direction.
The verse you mentioned is often understood to mean personal pictures or dreams, but in its context Proverbs 29:18 speaks of prophetic revelation, the revealed word and counsel of God. Where that word is not known or obeyed, people cast off restraint and wander. The vision that keeps us from perishing is not primarily a private experience, but God's truth already given to us in Scripture, which shows us His character, His commands, and His salvation through Jesus Christ.
In Scripture God did at times give visions, but not to everyone and not in the same way. To some who were dull or slow to believe, or to make His Son known publicly, He gave a sensible sign, as with the shepherds or at the baptism of Jesus when the Spirit appeared as a dove. To those who were already full of faith, such a sign was not needed, because faith itself was sufficient. Signs are given for those who do not yet believe, while for those who believe, God asks us to trust what He has already made known. This is why the apostles could say that even when no visible sign takes place now, we still receive the reality through faith and through the Scriptures.
What this means for you is that you do not need to wait for a special sight or dream to be sure of God's will. He guides His people most surely through His written Word, through prayer, through wise counsel, and through the quiet work of the Holy Spirit making us obedient to what is already revealed. If in His wisdom He is pleased to give you special assurance or direction, He is able to do so, but our confidence should rest on Christ and on the certainty of His promises, not on seeking an experience.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You do not change like shifting shadows and that every good and perfect gift comes down from You, the Father of lights. Thank You for this one who wants to be led by You and not by personal ambition alone. Give him a deeper love for Your Word, which is the true vision that gives life, and open his eyes to understand it. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, humility to obey what You have already shown, and faith to trust You even without sensible signs. Lead him away from his own plans where they depart from Your way, and establish his steps in Jesus Christ, in whose mighty name we pray, amen.
The verse you mentioned is often understood to mean personal pictures or dreams, but in its context Proverbs 29:18 speaks of prophetic revelation, the revealed word and counsel of God. Where that word is not known or obeyed, people cast off restraint and wander. The vision that keeps us from perishing is not primarily a private experience, but God's truth already given to us in Scripture, which shows us His character, His commands, and His salvation through Jesus Christ.
In Scripture God did at times give visions, but not to everyone and not in the same way. To some who were dull or slow to believe, or to make His Son known publicly, He gave a sensible sign, as with the shepherds or at the baptism of Jesus when the Spirit appeared as a dove. To those who were already full of faith, such a sign was not needed, because faith itself was sufficient. Signs are given for those who do not yet believe, while for those who believe, God asks us to trust what He has already made known. This is why the apostles could say that even when no visible sign takes place now, we still receive the reality through faith and through the Scriptures.
What this means for you is that you do not need to wait for a special sight or dream to be sure of God's will. He guides His people most surely through His written Word, through prayer, through wise counsel, and through the quiet work of the Holy Spirit making us obedient to what is already revealed. If in His wisdom He is pleased to give you special assurance or direction, He is able to do so, but our confidence should rest on Christ and on the certainty of His promises, not on seeking an experience.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You do not change like shifting shadows and that every good and perfect gift comes down from You, the Father of lights. Thank You for this one who wants to be led by You and not by personal ambition alone. Give him a deeper love for Your Word, which is the true vision that gives life, and open his eyes to understand it. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, humility to obey what You have already shown, and faith to trust You even without sensible signs. Lead him away from his own plans where they depart from Your way, and establish his steps in Jesus Christ, in whose mighty name we pray, amen.
