(a) By opening up to our minds the deep, sanctifying truths of the Bible, and especially by revealing to us the character and spirit of Jesus and His Apostles, and leading us to follow in their footsteps—the footsteps of their faith and love and unselfish devotion to God and man, even unto the laying down of their lives.
(b) By the circumstances and surroundings of our daily life.
(c) By the counsel of others, especially of devout, and wise, and experienced men and women of God.
(d) By deep inward conviction, which increases as we wait upon Him in prayer and readiness to obey. It is by this sovereign conviction that men are called to preach, to go to foreign fields as missionaries, to devote their time, talents, money, and lives to God’s work for the bodies and souls of men.
5. Why do people seek for guidance and not find it?
(a) Because they do not diligently study God’s word, and seek to be filled with its truths and principles. They neglect the cultivation of their minds and hearts in the school of Christ, and so miss Divine guidance. One of the mightiest men of God now living used to carry his Bible with him into the coal mine when only a boy, and spent his spare time filling his mind and heart with its heavenly truths, and so prepared himself to be divinely led in mighty labours for God.
(b) They do not humbly accept the daily providences, the circumstances, and conditions of their everyday life as a part of God’s present plan for them; as His school in which He would train them for greater things; as His vineyard in which He would have them diligently labour.
A young woman imagined she was called to devote herself entirely to saving souls; but under the searching training through which she had to pass saw her selfishness, and she said she would have to return home, and live a holy life there, and seek to get her family saved—something which she had utterly neglected—before she could go into the work. If we are not faithful at home, or in the shop, or mill, or store where we work, we shall miss God’s way for us.
(c) Because they are not teachable, and are unwilling to receive instruction from other Christians. They are not humble-minded.
(d) Because they do not wait on God, and listen and heed the inner leadings of the Holy Spirit. They are self-willed; they want their own way. Some one has said, “That which is often asked of God is not so much His will and way, as His approval of our way.” And another has said: “God’s guidance is plain, when we are true.” If we promptly and gladly obey, we shall not miss the way. Paul said of himself, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” He obeyed God at all costs, and so the Holy Spirit could guide him.