Text: People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction; your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes, you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:19-21
The current pandemic has led to accumulated challenges since 2020. Amid this chaotic situation, many things were lost. Some people lost their jobs, some, their businesses, and regrettably, some, their lives. In addition, some might have lost their relationship with God during this horrific pandemic as they run around. However, with the beginning of a new year comes freshness and opportunities to start a new thing.
Therefore, I need to ask if you would like to rebuild your relationship with God or regain the direction you lost in the just concluded year? Alternatively, would you like to build on what you currently enjoy in your relationship with God?
We see from our text what God is set to do. He is ready to establish a relationship with us and give us appropriate directions. Receiving these directions and following them lies in our hands. Let us consider some points that are critical to establishing a robust relationship with God this year:
- The Possibility of God’s Leading: It sounds a little strange to some people whenever they hear that they can be guided or led by God. Yes, let this truth be dawned on you that God can lead you in that step you are planning to take. He leads through the best pathway (Psalm 32:8). However, it is not a general principle applicable to everyone. Instead, it is an exclusive privilege reserved only for those saved through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:14).
I like to announce that God can lead you and direct your step if you surrender your life to Jesus. - The Necessity of Your Discernment: It is not enough to know that God does lead people and that He can lead you too – you must be aware also that the devil equally leads people and directs them. In the face of these colliding opposing forces, you need discernment. God’s promise is, you shall hear a word behind you, saying, this is the way, walk in it (Isaiah 30:21). It is your responsibility to figure out who speaks when you hear a word – God or the devil. One of the ways to perceive God’s leading is the inner peace that comes after his instructions (Isaiah 32:17, Psalm 85:8). As a Christian, you enjoy inner peace when God leads. If this is not present, check it! To understand how God speaks to you, and enjoy the benefit embedded in divine direction, make all efforts to build up your relationship with the Holy Spirit by constantly praying, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. (John 10:3-5).
- The Sufficiency of Your Obedience: Some people do not have a problem understanding and recognizing what God is saying, yet they find it difficult to obey. Your discernment of God’s voice is merely a necessary condition but not sufficient until you follow God’s leading fully. The secret to a victorious and supernatural Christian life is hearing and obeying God’s voice. Thus, obeying God’s instruction is critical in our relationship with Him. The Bible says if you hear His voice: harden not your heart. (Hebrews 3:15).
To enjoy the best of the year, take hearing and obeying God’s instructions seriously (Isaiah 1:19). God has a plan for you in 2022 if you will obey Him. However, if you are yet to decide about following Jesus, make that decision now, and you will see God leading you throughout the year.
