Choosing a Godly pattern 

Proverbs 3:5­-6 may be one of the most frequently quoted Scripture about God's guidance.  However, when it says God will “show you which path to take,” what does that mean?  Is this more of a general assurance that faithful believers will be shown godly direction in their spiritual walk?  Or is this a promise that each individual will receive specific direction in his or her major life choices? 

The idea that this verse only refers to general assurances seems to fall short in light of the rest of Scripture.  Obviously, an all-knowing and all-powerful God can encourage us all along godly paths.  But He can also specifically guide each of us in life choices since He alone knows the best choice amongst a number of possible paths.

A similar promise is found in Psalm 23:3: "He guides me along right paths."  Again, we might ask, is this verse referring to general moral guidelines or detailed guidance for our specific paths in life?  The overall context of Psalm 23 indicates that the promise involves more than just general moral guidelines.  A shepherd doesn’t just send the sheep off in a general direction and hope things go well!  He goes ahead of them and guides them along the specific paths that he knows will be best for them.  

David, the author of Psalm 23, knew a lot about caring for sheep.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David went beyond the basic model of a shepherd leading his flock to emphasize God's guidance for individuals.  It’s similar to what the Lord Jesus said about His care for each individual sheep:  "The good Shepherd calls His own sheep by name” (John 10:3). 

Of course, the moral "right paths" that God has chosen for us are clearly marked out in His Word, and they’re the same for all sheep.  No “right path,” for example, will ever guide us to a pasture of slander, cheating, or gluttony.  No “right path” will ever lead us through the field of adultery or fornication.  These road signs are unmistakable in Scripture. 

But what about specific questions that apply only to yourself and not to all sheep?  Decisions about whether you should go to college, and where, or what career path should you choose, or if/when you should get married – and to whom?  Can these areas be included in God's plan for your life?  

Let's consider college selection. Any number of colleges or universities, Christian or secular, might be fine for you regarding education.  However, some colleges might tear down—rather than challenge and strengthen—your Christian faith.  The God who has promised to "guide us with His eye" (Psalm 32:8) knows which school has the best Christian environment for you.  He knows which college will have the best opportunities for Christian service using your individual talents and spiritual gifts.  Would your heavenly Father, who knows all these details, say, “Just choose any college”?  Or would He lead you to choose the university that would result in the best path for you? 

The same is true for your career.  While several vocations might bring you happiness, success, and fulfilment, it’s logical to assume that the God who "works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11) would guide you to the career path that’s best for your present and future spiritual growth.  This sovereign God knows all your abilities and potential (as well as your shortcomings and limitations). God knows the particular jobs and locations that are best for you. He controls all the events and circumstances of history.  If you’re willing to let God direct your path, they will be there, right on schedule.

The same goes for marriage.  Many potential Christian spouses may meet the biblical qualifications of a wife or husband, but which one is the best Christian life partner for you?  God knows which person will best complement you, or perhaps God’s plan for you is to remain single.  The God who told His Old Testament people that He had "good plans" for them has good plans for your life, too. (See Jeremiah 29:11.) 

God knows all the details, but how do we find these details and follow the particular path God desires for us?  This is where many Christians get confused.  Some believers assume that if God has a detailed plan for our lives, then He will reveal it to them like a road map, highlighted with all the right turns to make. 

Well, God does have a plan for our lives, but He does not reveal it to us as a highlighted map.  In fact, He may not reveal much (or any) of it ahead of schedule.  Our responsibility is to obey Him in all we do and use the means for making decisions that God has shown us in His Word.  Then, we can be sure that whatever unfolds is God's particular plan for our lives. 

In addition, we can be sure that if the path the Lord has chosen for us requires special information or demands unusual decisions, He will make those clear.  Many biblical characters received God's guidance in unusual ways, and God can also guide us through special communication and circumstances.  (Read about Gideon in Judges 7:4­8 or about Philip in Acts 8:25­-40.)  But remember, most of the biblical heroes made their decisions each day using the same normal means that God gave us!

The normal means of divine guidance could be called “the way of wisdom.”  Proverbs 4:11 says, “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”  “The way of wisdom” is simply living life with its many decisions in accordance with God's Word by using our biblically-based common sense.  In the areas where God has revealed His will for us, we obey His laws.  In the areas where God has not specifically made His will known, we use our God-given common sense.

In using our common sense, we recognize that we are fallible mortals with sinful natures, vulnerable to the tricks of Satan.  We may make mistakes, so we should ask for advice and counsel from godly believers.  We should pray for insight to properly analyze our circumstances - especially for the decisions that will affect the entire course of our lives! 

Our knowledge of Scripture directs our common sense, so we should continually soak ourselves in the Word of God.  When we know the Word, biblical principles will automatically “screen” our decisions.  When we "walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16), we are following God's way of wisdom for His people, so we can be confident that we’re following the “right paths” He has planned for us.

A logical question at this point might be, “How does disobedience and lack of biblical knowledge / common sense affect God's plan for my life?”  Or what if I deliberately depart from God’s path?  Does God's plan for me change because of my mistakes? 

Since God knows everything, our mistakes never catch Him off guard, so it can never be said that God changed His plan for our lives.  Our disobedience and selfish mistakes can certainly result in God's discipline, with loss of blessing and reward, but these consequences could not be called a different plan.  

We see this when the Lord brought His people from Egypt to the Promised Land.  He led them step by step.  He did this by means of a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night - visible signs of His presence (Exodus 13:21­-22).  The pillar of cloud/fire never left them.  It was with them all the time.  It indicated precisely when and where they should move (Numbers 9:15­-23). 

The pillar was there when they murmured and complained.  It was there when they bowed down to the golden calf.  The pillar was there when they refused to believe that God could bring them into the Land.  It led them for 40 years in the wilderness.  Numbers 33 gives us 41 stages of their movement by name!  No matter what the circumstance, God was there and providing guidance – and He does the same for us today!

The journey of Israel from Egypt to Canaan is meant to be a picture of the individual Christian's life.  God redeems us "out of Egypt" and leads us "through the wilderness."  Even if we choose to leave the “right path” and spend time in the wilderness, God's plan is not thwarted.  Our sins and selfish decisions may cause holding patterns and course corrections in God's plan for our lives, but He never gives up on us (Philippians 1:6)

Of course, God’s ultimate plan and desire for each one of us is to become more and more like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28­-29).  All the right paths lead in that direction.  You can be sure that God is always working everything together in your life toward that glorious goal!