Monday, April 11, 2011
April 11
“There are four ways God reveals His will to us--through the Scriptures, through providential circumstances, through the convictions of our own higher judgment and through the inward impressions of the Holy Spirit on our minds. Where these four harmonize, God speaks.” Hannah Whitall Smith, God is Enough, 4/10
Hannah’s comment about the four ways harmonizing was good for me to hear. I’ve looked to these four ways to discern God’s will, but often have been left confused by one thing or another and not been able to put my finger on it. I knew that God would never violate His word in Scripture, but had never stopped to think how my “intuition”, which is my convictions of my own higher judgment, should harmonize both with God’s providential circumstances and the inward impressions of the Holy Spirit. I usually have two out of the three and am left with a vague feeling of confusion. Now I will consider each aspect of God’s method of speaking to me to see which one isn’t harmonizing. Breaking it down in this way should be very helpful. God’s word + circumstances + convictions + Holy Spirit = knowing God’s will.
But I’m not done. I must add one more thing to the equation: x obedience = Joy.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10, 11
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I like your multiplication! So many times when we get an impression from His Spirit and even an affirmation of scripture we become fearful and hide our convictions or even use our circumstances to say we can’t; so we come up with the conclusion that it isn’t God’s will. It’s when we are willing to be obedient and do His will that He increases our faith in Him to bring it about and change our minds by giving us a clear conscience.
ReplyDeleteI had circumstances (my leader & my own finances) that dictated I was unable to come back to serve in this country even though I had scripture, the convictions of higher judgment and impressions from the Holy Spirit. My fear made me feel it was not His will at first. I knew I should come back so I finally decided to obey with the faith that I would make it on my own or at least stay until my funds ran out. Less than a week later, news came that my time had been extended 3 months with the opportunity to serve another term. Once I was willing to be obedient He provided the way.