As I was finishing my quiet time with God this morning, my fifteen year-old grandson came to mind. He has an important decision to make so I thought I would work up a little procedure for him to follow. Since I was still sitting there with God, He graciously supplemented my thinking. Here’s what I wrote:
- Take a sheet of blank paper and draw a line all the way across the top. Then starting in the center of that line, draw a vertical line straight down the middle of the page.
- On the left side list all of the pros for that course of action. On the right side list all of the cons. You can make a sheet for each option that comes to mind.
Then God prompted me to add:
- Fold the paper in half with the writing on the inside, lay it on a table, and put your bible on top of it.
- Pray:
- Tell God that you will take whatever course He indicates.
- Ask him to silence any of the hosts of wickedness and your own inner voice.
- Then ask him what He wants you to do: Ask, relax, listen, and wait.
- Obey His counsel.
When I was done, I realized that I needed God’s advice here as well! The scriptures address this topic:
- God promises to personally counsel us:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
(Psalm 32:8–9)
- David took God up on that offer for counsel:
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
(Psalm 16:7–8)
- In contrast to David, the nation of Israel repeatedly failed:
But they soon forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel.
(Psalm 106:13)
Get this: The Living God is willing and eager to give us His personal counsel! That’s perfectly amazing! But we must: 1) take the time to ask, 2) wait for his answer and 3) be willing to unequivocally accept His advice.