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George MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
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MacDonald summarizes how the early believers discerned the will of God and His guidance writing… 1. Through the Scriptures. 2. Through visions and prophecies. 3. Through circumstances. 4. Through the advice and initiative of other Christians. 5. Through direct communication, possibly in an inward, subjective manner. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson) Illustration: I read the story about a young woman who had prepared for missionary service on foreign fields. She had been appointed by the mission board and was ready to sail when she received a telegram saying that her sister had died in a western state. She cancelled her reservation and went home. The sister left four little children and since there was no one to care for them this young woman had to stay with them. Her heart was broken. She had dreamed of being a missionary and now she would never have a chance to go out for the Lord. However, she submitted to the Lord’s will and did the best she could for the children. As they grew up, one by one they came to her saying, ‘Aunt, I feel that God wants me to be a missionary.” So instead of one person going out as a missionary, because of her faithfulness to God and His call four went out. She came to see, after all, that God’s way was the best way.” (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) George Muller's (see bio) thoughts on finding the will of God… 1. Surrender your own will I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is. 2. Do not depend on feelings. Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great elusions. 3. Seek, the Spirit's will through God's Word. I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusion also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them. 4. Note providential circumstances. Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. 5. Pray. I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright. 6. Wait. F B
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MacDonald wrote that "Nothing makes a man strong like a call for help!"
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MacDonald - God has a thousand keys to open a thousand different doors in order to deliver His own.