God’s Guidance And Our Input

During times when we don’t know what to do, we can ask God for guidance, because who would know better for what’s best for us than God?

In the first chapter of Judges we read that Israel has no leader anymore. Joshua, Moses' successor, passed away. They have the duty to take the country and ask God for advice.

Ask God for Advice

It was a wise decision of the Israelites. They asked God for advice. Joshua always did that for them. Apparently they learned from him and followed his example.

The question is simple: Who should go up first? The answer is simple: Judah.

Sometimes we find it hard to ask God for advice. We may not know for sure whether God is interested in our situation. Sometimes we ask, but we do not take time or we forget to listen for an answer. And sometimes we do not recognize it.

Did you have a good example? Do you ask God for advice?

God Wants to Answer

It is a good starting point to believe that God answers. When God does not answer in the Bible, it is often because of sin (see Isaiah 59: 1-2). When someone knows that he is reconciled with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and is sincere in his relationship with God, he can always turn to God for guidance.

God always wants to listen and He always wants to answer.

We see that the answer of God to the Israelites consists of two parts. There is a simple answer: Judah. And answers with a great promise: "I have given the land in their hands."

God's answer is mostly more than a yes or a no. We must therefore learn to listen and to trust that what we hear is His Word. If not, it will show itself. If we heard it right, it will encourage us, we will grow in our faith and we should thank God for his interest in our lives.

We Have Our Responsibility

What do we do with an answer from God? Rethink it? Simply follow it? Discuss it with others?

All three of these options can be good. It depends on the situation. We learn from the Bible passage in Judges that we may continue to use our common sense. We have been given a responsibility and God does not want us to follow him like little robots.

The Israelites did what God said, but they added something of their own understanding to it. Judah indeed attacked first, but they consulted with the tribe of Simeon to see if they could rely on their help, in exchange for help when it was their turn.

We have our own will and responsibility. We can’t just wait and do nothing when we do not experience the guidance of God, while our sense says that something must be done. However, when we do receive guidance, we may act upon it to our best knowledge.

Do we receive guidance? Of course (read Romans 8:14). Then let us handle this guidance wisely using the mind which God has given us.