Study Seven: The Natural Means
STUDY SEVEN
The Natural Means
Read John 10:1–18
We are going along in life, doing the usual things, when suddenly we come up against a thing we are not sure about. We need guidance. The temptation is to stop everything and ask for a sign. Once in a while this is the thing to do. Gideon did it when he put out his fleece, asking that on the first night it should be wet with dew while the ground around remained dry and that the opposite should happen on the second night. But far more often we find God leading men while they are doing what they normally are supposed to do. When the Lord called them, David was taking care of sheep, the boy Samuel was serving in the temple, and Matthew was collecting taxes.
The author identifies ten natural means that God uses to guide us. They are duty, timing, God’s calling you by name, human agents, gifts and abilities, desires, our frame of reference, circumstances, advice from friends, and being in a position where we must choose the harder of two things.
Duty
Key thought: “Do the next thing” is one of the best pieces of advice I have ever had. It works in any kind of situation and is especially helpful when we don’t know what to do. What if we don’t even know what the “next thing” is? We can find something. Some duty lies on our doorstep. The rule is do it. The doing of that thing may open our eyes to the next.
How is performing them a way of accepting God’s guidance?
Timing
Key thought: God never showed me his will until the time came. I realize that nearly all of my trouble with finding out the will of God came because I wanted it too soon. I like to plan. I like to have things mapped out well in advance, and uncertainty of any sort puts me on edge. Perhaps it is for this very reason God has often asked me to wait until the last minute.
God Calls Us by Name
Key thought: We may not hear an audible voice, but we will find that the Lord knows how to call us. He knows the best way to get our attention, and if we are ready to listen or to be shown, we will hear or see whatever it is he has chosen as his means.
Do you have to hear an audible voice to obey God’s commands?
Human Agents
Key thought: God guides his people always in relationship to one another, like a flock. This is perhaps one of the most important things to remember when we are looking for personal guidance. We ought to look first of all to those with whom we have some special relationship.
How does God use governing authorities to show you the right thing to do?
Gifts and Abilities
Key thought: When I am looking for the right direction, I ought to take into account what experience I have had, what gifts or propensities are mine, and what the direction of my life seems to have prepared me for.
Write out verse 3.
What does this verse mean to you?
What were the results?
Desires
Key thought: I may now and then actually want what God wants. This is likely to be the case more and more as I practice obedience, but it can also be a very simple and natural thing.
This is a typical reaction among many Christians. Why do you suppose this is?
Have you ever felt this way?
If so, why?
What condition does this verse place on receiving the desires of your heart?
Your Own Frame of Reference
Key thought: God leads me, I believe, within my own frame of reference. What I am, where I am, and how I got there all have a great deal to do with what my frame of reference is. God can be counted on to choose the right avenue of approach.
Briefly describe what yours is.
How might God guide, say, a Lebanese Christian in a way different from the way in which he guides you?
Circumstances
Key thought: If we try to trace what look to us like the significant events or turning points in any life, we will not go far before we find it was in the ordinary course that the extraordinary happened.
Who was in prison with him?
How did God use the imprisonment of Pharaoh’s cupbearer to eventually release Joseph from prison and place him in a position of authority in Egypt?
What does this tell you about the way God guides the lives of his people?
Advice from Friends
Key thought: It is a good thing to talk over a decision with a friend. The times we find ourselves entirely alone in making a decision are rare. Nearly always there are others who will be affected by what we decide, and usually some of these can be consulted.
What positive effect did it have?
Why do you suppose King Rehoboam chose to listen to such poor advice from his friends?
The Harder of Two Things
Key thought: Sometimes we have narrowed down the possibilities to two, but there seems no way to choose one of them. Choose the harder of the two ways. If you have eliminated all other possibilities and there still seem to be two that might please God, choose the more difficult one.
Applying God’s Truth to Your Life
Why did you find these to be the most beneficial?
To Do This Week
Identify the most difficult choice you are now facing. Each day pray that the Lord will make you aware of a particular means he is using to help you make that decision. As God reveals these means, be sure to thank him for his guidance in leading you to make the right decision.