I Will Follow God’s Leading

(Exodus 13:17-18, 20-22; 14:5-6, 10, 13-14, 31-15:2, 11-13)

There is something in our nature that chafes at the idea of submitting to the authority of
another.

We all seem to have a bit of the “You’re not the boss of me” attitude that is so
prevalent in the world today.

We need to be willing to set aside our will and way for God’s will and way, like our Lord
did at Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)

We probably all were taught growing up that we needed to learn to “fight our own battles”.

But the sad truth is, there are some battles that we alone are not capable of winning.

In such circumstances, God alone has the power to save us.

If you let God go before you, He will fight for you and scatter your enemies (Deut. 28:7)

God leads His own

nachah {naw-khaw'} Heb. = lead, guide, put/place, govern and correct.

It is the term used for what God did:

for Abraham (Gen. 24:27 & 48)

for Israel (Exodus 13:17-18, 21-22; 15:13; Neh. 9:12 & 19; Ps. 77:20; 78:14, 53
& 72)

for His people (identified with Jacob) (Deut. 32:10-12)

for the nations (Job 12:23)

for David (Ps. 23:3; 139:10)

David's success in battle was not due to his superior military skills.
It was due to the fact that he was willing to wait for the Lord to go
ahead of him.

for Asaph (Ps. 73:24)

for the redeemed of the LORD (Ps. 107:30)

 halak {haw-lak'}Heb. = went, walked, led

paniym {paw-neem'} Heb. = before and behind, in the presence of, in sight, before the
face of

God knows our weaknesses/vulnerabilities and if we let Him lead, He will help us
steer clear of situations that are likely to harm us spiritually, and thereby possibly
diminish our faith in Him (1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Following God’s lead protects us from both seen and unseen dangers.

If you will only let God lead you, He will perfect that which is lacking in you.

Following God’s lead will bring blessings and will set you above and apart from the
world. Failing to do so, will make you accursed and be overcome by the world (Deut. 28)

God, our Great Shepherd, leads with both strength and gentle affection (Isa. 40:10-11)

Those whom God leads, and who follow, He also “keeps” (Gen. 28:15)

Shamar {shaw-mar'}Heb. keep, guard, treasure, preserve, protect, retain,

save, watch over, celebrate

God leads us in a way that is consistent with His merciful nature, covering
and sustaining us (Isa. 49:10)

We may not always understand why He chooses a particular route for us to travel, but we
can be sure of the ultimate destination. God will ultimately lead us away from the path to
death unto the way to eternal life.

God has both the desire and the ability to lead us unto eternal life (Rev.7:17)

Satan would be happy to lead you as well. To lead you into captivity, into darkness, into
despair, into death.

Just as God often uses people to accomplish His will, so does Satan

People can be used by Satan mislead and capture our minds and hearts

We should desire and pray to be led by God (Ps. 5:8; 25:5; 27:11; 31:3; 43:3; 61:2; 67:4;
139:24; 143:10; Matt. 6:13; Luke 11:4)
God is with us always, through His Word, through Jesus, the Christ, as our Lord and our
advocate in Heaven, and through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit (Gen. 28:15; Isa. 58:11;
Matt. 28:20)

Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16)

His Holy Spirit guides us (John 16:13), assists our praying (Rom. 8:26-27) and
empowers us to be able to claim victory over the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16- 18)

How has His presence been made manifest in your life?

When (not if) we face challenges while walking according to His will, we must “fear not”
and “stand firm” and allow God to fight for us (Exodus 14:13-14 & 25; Ps. 46:10; 1 Sam.
17:47)

The accounts of God’s love , power and faithfulness in the Bible are written to
encourage and strengthen are faith and trust in Him.

Do you let God take the lead in your life and in your family’s life?

Or do you run ahead, or lag behind, suffering harm and missing opportunities.

Or do you allow yourself to be distracted and get left “spinning your wheels”?

Do you turn to God in prayer when faced with an important decision? (Ps. 37:5; Prov. 16:3)

How do you follow a leader?

You watch Him and observe what he is doing.

You listen to His instructions and follow them.

What qualities does it take to follow God’s lead?

It take humility, faith, patience and courage.

Who are you following now? Why?

God? Satan? Another person? Yourself?