Confusion!

February 17, 2022

Confusion!

I am hoping for this direction but I am still committed to that direction. 

I pray and ask the Holy Spirit for some guidance.  I make lists of the positives and negatives of each choice.  I consult with trusted friends to gain perspective.  But, there is no definitive answer. 

I wonder why Jesus does not just send me a sign of some kind.  I don’t want anything cheesy or creepy; I just need a real sign of the direction I am to go.

Although I announced my retirement three weeks ago, there are still some days when I wonder if that is the direction I should go right now.  I am looking forward to retirement but will miss the people Jesus has called me to love and serve.  It would be nice if Jesus would give me another word of confirmation.

Joshua was the second in charge to Moses.  Moses had led an often stubborn and resistant people with sometimes small faith in the Lord God to the edge of the Promised Land.  However, Moses dies before the Hebrew people can cross the river into the land flowing with milk and honey.

The Lord calls Joshua to take Moses’ place and lead the people into the Promised Land.  But, Joshua is not sure this is the direction he wants his life to go.  Joshua hesitates and then resists the call of the Lord to go a new direction.

When Joshua is not clear about the direction he should go, the Lord offers a commandment and a promise to Joshua.  In Joshua 1:9 the Lord says to Joshua; “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Lord’s commandment to those who are not sure which direction to go is, “Be strong and courageous.”  The Lord’s promise to those who are confused about what is next is, “…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Your friend may have confided in you they are not sure which direction to go next.  Maybe it is a job choice, maybe it is selecting a college to attend, maybe it is a commitment to start dating again.  Offer your friend a word of instruction from the Lord; “Be strong and courageous.”

But, don’t leave your friend with just the Lord’s instruction.  Offer them the Lord’s promise, too.  When we are not sure which way to go, we often question whether Jesus will still love us if we make one choice rather than the other. 

Sometimes we go so far as to wonder if God will withdraw His blessing and judge us.  Your friend will gain confidence by remembering the promise of the Lord; “…the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

When we are confused it is helpful to remember the commandment of the Lord and the promise of the Lord to Joshua.  When we remember, our confusion will eventually yield to confidence and our hesitation will yield to deep faith in Jesus.  That is when our heart will be filled with delight in the Lord.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug