Faith and decisions

Sometimes certainty is possible because Scripture leaves no options about a decision (should I steal that car?). But most decisions are more complex and we cannot be sure of being on ‘the right path’. Often there is an element of uncertainty and that is healthy if it causes a genuine trust in God. It is somewhat misleading to translate the text as ‘He will direct your path’ ... As if God is like an officer directing traffic exactly where to turn, where to stop, and where to go.

To understand what Proverbs 3:6 means, the New Testament has a very helpful definition of faith: ‘Now faith is being sure of what ... We do not see (Hebrews 11:1). What is it that we cannot see (concerning this topic of guidance)? We cannot see how God is guiding ‘behind the scenes’! We cannot see the secret will of God. But we believe it implicitly! Faith is utterly convinced that God will rule and overrule in all our decisions. Genuine obedience to God will not ultimately bring us to grief. The assurance that God makes our paths ‘straight’ obviously implies that they need straightening! There are some crooked bits, some twists and turns. If they are not straightened out they will harm us. Faith know that God will re-move all ultimate harm by straightening our paths. Our best decisions are imperfect, but God will use them to His glory and for our sanctification.

From What the Bible teaches about ..... Guidance. By Peter Bloomfield