Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path.
Proverbs 2:9
The Bible constantly discusses the benefits of knowing God through his word. A critical benefit and blessing is that his word gives us guidance. We don’t have to wander through life hoping that we are fulfilling his purpose for us. We, as his children, can know without a shadow of a doubt that we are walking according to his will and purpose. Paul discusses this concept in Romans 12:2; by renewing our mind and not conforming to the ways of the world we can prove God’s will for our lives. This is not a new concept that Paul created, it was revealed to him from God’s word to his people. This is stated all throughout the Old Testament- Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, and on and on. Let’s look specifically at Proverbs for a moment:
Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Wow! You may need to take that all in again because it is a game changer. This states that when we accept his word over everything else that we see, hear, and feel and combine that with seeking him over the things that the world offers then we will know the Lord. Not only will we know him, but God himself will give us his wisdom. This wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from God gives us victory, protection, and success.
This may sound too good to be true or even too simple but that is the beauty of the gospel. I have experiences with Jesus all the time in which he guides me to be successful.
During the Covid pandemic, I knew I needed to get away for a while because there were too many distractions coming from the world. I spent some time up in the Sierras with Lawrence just worshipping Jesus and quietly listening in prayer. We had an amazing time and received instructions on how to move forward with Dunamis Rhema Ministries. I, also, received an instruction for me individually. On the last day of our trip, the Spirit told me, “Next year, at this time, you will come back here and climb that mountain. At the top, you will declare my blessings and all the victory I have given you.” Now, looking at this mountain from where I stood seemed a bit daunting since I am not accustomed to backpacking solo out in the wilderness. However, I journaled all that the Lord said and we left back to civilization.
The following year as school was winding down I needed another break. Much had been accomplished in my family’s life and in DR Ministries. My wife and I successfully homeschooled two of our children using God’s word as an integral part of our studies, I was able to bring in many new students for in-person instruction to my small school environment, and Dunamis Rhema Ministries was approved as a 501(c)3. All this came from the Lord’s guidance. It was time to return to the mountain…alone.
I planned to give myself an entire day to hike the mountain that he told me, just in case. I spent the first afternoon and evening upon arrival reading the Proverbs and the gospel of John. Early the next morning after seeking guidance, I took my guitar, Bible, lunch, and some water setting off for an adventure with the Lord. The terrain was uphill but light work, wandering through a creek and then up a steep rock face and within an hour I was at the top worshiping God in tears. After some reflection in the stillness he spoke, “Continue on, follow the tracks.” I had no clue that this journey was just beginning. I saw tracks that circled about and meandered up to another higher place. In faith, I trusted that he would guide me in safety on to where he intended. Thus, I followed the tracks as they continued, twisting and turning around bends and upward I climbed.
After some time, thoughts began to invade, “Where am I going? What am I looking for? Lord, am I hearing you correctly? What if I get lost out here?” And then I saw it…I had come to a partially level clearing and there before me were giant boulders. At the top was a rock shaped like a hand-more specifically a right hand with the palm opened up. For me, it was God’s right hand! I knew I needed to climb it, sit it in it, rest in it. With absolute joy I raced to it, circling the boulders searching for a way to climb up. And of course, there were perfect steps up towards the wrist etched in one direction. Then turning right I ducked underneath the thumb, and hoisted myself into his hand. Immediately I hear Isaiah 41:10 and I recite it aloud.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I laid down everything except my guitar and sang from the depths of my soul to Jesus. It was awesome! He took away all my fears and held me in his right hand. After some time passed I asked him what to do next. His hand pointed me in the direction I believed he wanted me to travel as my eyes gazed at a mountain far off in the distance. The tallest peak I could see. I pondered how long it would take to reach. That’s when he spoke. “I will to take you there.”
WHAT?! That is way too far, I don’t have enough food or water. I don’t know how to get there. Could I even find my way back? Could I even make it there before dark? This is crazy. The thoughts continued to run until I heard him again, “Trust me, just hike to the next point where that tree is.” I responded audibly, “You’ve taken me this far safely, so I am ready to follow you wherever.” I gathered my things and climbed out of his hand, confident that if God was willing to uphold me in his right hand then he could guide me anywhere. I traversed through the bushes and up the ridge to the tree while wondering what the next step would be. I looked down and saw below a sign and a path!!! The scriptures I had been meditating on for months came to life, Proverbs 2:9….Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path.
Hustling down the hill to read what the sign stated, I praised him for his faithfulness and his word continued to race through my head. “Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.” Proverbs 2:20 The Lord spoke again, “Follow this path and stay on it.”
So I did! I followed the path and had multiple more experiences which eventually led me to the ascent of the mountain peak by early afternoon. I could not see the top but the trees became less and less as the slabs of granite grew. I pursued the summit with intent to see God’s promise to me fulfilled. Around a turn and then a bend upward, the slope began to flatten and I knew I was finally reaching the peak. As my vision of the top came into view I cheered, shouted, and praised God for there, just ahead of me, was a lookout tower built on the solid rock!!!! Climbing and resting in that tower my views spread for miles and miles in every direction. I had clarity of the entire landscape-lakes, rivers, valleys, safe meadows and dangerous cliffs. I ate, I worshiped, I read his word, I listened and I journaled all that the Lord spoke to my spirit.
I knew his guidance and he shared with me the experience of it, applying my faith in his promises to appropriate a miracle. I had no clue where I was going, no idea how long it would take, no understanding of the resources needed to get there. I did not know the way. But he did- he knew it all.
Take the first step….get to know God through his word. The next will come as he guides you. Don’t be afraid. Jesus will walk you through it, one step at a time. He is faithful and his guidance is always secure. As you walk, acknowledging him in all your ways, he will direct your path(Proverbs 3:5-6).