How can we seek God's guidance when facing consequences of our actions? Facing Consequences — Judges 6:1 “The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.” Consequences are not random; they are part of God’s just and purposeful government of our lives. Owning Our Actions • Israel’s trouble began with disobedience, not chance. • Acknowledging the link between sin and fallout keeps us from blaming circumstances or people. • Psalm 51:3 — “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Step 1 — Confess and Turn Back • 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” • Genuine confession includes: – Calling sin what God calls it. – Accepting His verdict without excuses. • Judges 6:6: “So Israel cried out to the Lord.” Their first real “guidance-seeking” move was repentance. Step 2 — Return to the Word • Judges 6:8-10: God sends a prophet to remind Israel of His Word before He sends Gideon to deliver. • Practical ways: – Read passages that confront and correct (e.g., Deuteronomy 28, Psalm 32). – Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6; let it recalibrate your thinking. – Use Psalm 119:105 to pray, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Step 3 — Ask for Wisdom with Faith • James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given.” • Approach Him believing He delights to guide repentant children. • Expect answers through: – Scripture quickened to your heart. – God-centered counsel (Proverbs 11:14). – Inner witness of the Spirit aligned with Scripture (Romans 8:14). Step 4 — Submit to God’s Training • Hebrews 12:11: “No discipline seems pleasant… but it produces a harvest of righteousness.” • Israel’s seven-year oppression was not wasted; it prepared Gideon’s generation for humble dependence. • In your life: – Accept temporal fallout as God’s tutoring. – Look for character He is forging: patience, integrity, humility. Step 5 — Obey the Next Clear Step • Judges 6:14: “Go in the strength you have…” • Guidance often unfolds progressively: light for the next step, not the whole journey (Psalm 119:105). • Checklist: – What command do I already know I should obey? Do it. – Is restitution needed? Make it (Luke 19:8). – Is there a broken relationship to pursue peace in? Seek it (Romans 12:18). Step 6 — Stay in Dependence and Worship • Gideon built an altar, “The Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6:24). • Continual gratitude keeps the heart soft and listening. • Philippians 4:6-7: thanksgiving + petition = peace that guards. Living the Pattern 1. Recognize consequences as God’s wake-up call. 2. Confess fully and forsake sin. 3. Saturate your mind with His Word. 4. Ask for wisdom in faith. 5. Accept discipline; let it train you. 6. Act on the guidance you have. 7. Maintain worshipful dependence. Following this pattern, we move from regret to restoration, confident that the same Lord who corrected Israel also guides us today. |
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