In what ways can we discern God's guidance in our own lives today? Immediate Context: Matthew 2:13 and Divine Guidance “After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said. ‘Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.’” Joseph’s experience highlights three realities: • God initiates guidance. • Guidance can come unexpectedly. • Obedience is urgent and practical (“Get up…flee…”). Primary Channels for God’s Guidance Today • Scripture—our final, sufficient authority – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) – “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable…” (2 Titus 3:16-17) • The Holy Spirit’s inner witness – “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) – He never speaks contrary to the written Word (John 16:13). • Prayerful communion – “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3) – Joseph’s dream followed a pattern of receptivity to God (Matthew 1:20; 2:19). • God-ordained counsel – “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14) – Wise friends confirm, not contradict, Scripture. • Providential circumstances – Doors open or close under God’s sovereign hand (Revelation 3:7). – Paul’s redirected journey in Acts 16:6-10 shows the Spirit steering through events. • Dreams and visions – Still possible (Acts 2:17). – Must align with Scripture and be weighed carefully (1 John 4:1). Practicing Discernment: Testing the Guidance • Is it consistent with clear biblical teaching? (Acts 17:11) • Does it exalt Christ and foster obedience? (John 14:21) • Is the fruit righteous and peaceable? (James 3:17) • Do Spirit-filled believers affirm it? (Proverbs 15:22) • Has God confirmed through circumstances or repeated promptings? (Genesis 41:32) Living Out the Guidance • Act promptly—Joseph “got up” the same night (Matthew 2:14). • Stay responsive—Joseph waited for further instruction (“until I tell you,” Matthew 2:13). • Trust God’s protection and provision along the path (Matthew 2:15; Philippians 4:19). • Expect guidance to guard God’s purposes in and through you, just as preserving Jesus preserved redemption’s plan (Ephesians 2:10). |
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