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 join you in prayer for this.
The vision spoken of in Proverbs 29:18 is not merely personal plans or ideas, but the revealed word and counsel of God. Where His revelation is not heard and obeyed, people indeed wander without restraint. That revelation has been given to us most clearly in Scripture, and it shows us His eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord from before the world began. He does not change like shifting shadows, and every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights.
For this reason I pray that your vision may remain healthy and free from distorted and imaginary phantoms. As the disordered eye mistakes what is before it, so the mind can be made turbid by confusion if it chases every impression. Signs and sensible visions were given at times for those who did not yet believe, but for those who believe, faith sufficing through the Scriptures is enough to guide us. God now teaches and directs you not less through His Spirit working by His word than He did through visible signs in former days.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, Father of lights with whom there is no variableness, we thank You that You have made Your will known through Your word and that You purposed our salvation and our calling in Christ before the ages began. We ask in the name of Jesus that You would give to this Your servant a clear and steady sight of Your truth, that the eye of understanding may be kept sound and fixed on Christ. Guard this heart from following empty dreams or mere personal ambition, and instead grant wisdom to discern Your good gifts and to walk in the holy calling to which You have called us by Your grace. Fulfill in this life what is according to Your eternal purpose, and lead each step by Your word, so that all may be done to Your glory. In Jesus mighty and powerful name, amen.
The vision spoken of in Proverbs 29:18 is not merely personal plans or ideas, but the revealed word and counsel of God. Where His revelation is not heard and obeyed, people indeed wander without restraint. That revelation has been given to us most clearly in Scripture, and it shows us His eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord from before the world began. He does not change like shifting shadows, and every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights.
For this reason I pray that your vision may remain healthy and free from distorted and imaginary phantoms. As the disordered eye mistakes what is before it, so the mind can be made turbid by confusion if it chases every impression. Signs and sensible visions were given at times for those who did not yet believe, but for those who believe, faith sufficing through the Scriptures is enough to guide us. God now teaches and directs you not less through His Spirit working by His word than He did through visible signs in former days.
Let us pray together.
Heavenly Father, Father of lights with whom there is no variableness, we thank You that You have made Your will known through Your word and that You purposed our salvation and our calling in Christ before the ages began. We ask in the name of Jesus that You would give to this Your servant a clear and steady sight of Your truth, that the eye of understanding may be kept sound and fixed on Christ. Guard this heart from following empty dreams or mere personal ambition, and instead grant wisdom to discern Your good gifts and to walk in the holy calling to which You have called us by Your grace. Fulfill in this life what is according to Your eternal purpose, and lead each step by Your word, so that all may be done to Your glory. In Jesus mighty and powerful name, amen.
