Gods Sabbath

D IVINE G UIDANCE

347

cannot be under His directions if we cannot discern Him speak ing to us. The message of Sabbath rest is only empty theory if the Almighty is unable to reach us with His specific instructions. While it is true that the Lord does not give us an audible brief ing every morning, He nonetheless does instruct those of His faith-filled children who have been trained to hear and recognize His voice. Every believer who wishes to live according to God’s ways and enter into His rest, must learn how to discern His in struction by progressing through the following steps. 1. Learning the Procedures Firstly, we need to understand and accept the principle that only those who know and follow God’s ways can enter into His rest. We need to see how faith combined with right procedures always results in success. Then the Sabbath rest principles, as explained in this book, must become the motivating power in our lives. In order to be assured of divine guidance, we need to learn to trust in our heavenly Father’s wisdom more than in our own. “Trust in the L ORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6. 2. Developing Faith in the Promises When we have learned these procedures we can but conclude that the Lord is fully able, and will gladly communicate His spe cific orders to us. We then need to search the Scriptures to find where the Almighty has assured us again and again that He will personally guide every one of us when we put our trust in Him. As we discover each such promise, we need to believe it implic itly and make it part of our own life experience. In particular, it is helpful to consider God’s positive declara tions that He will undertake the role of Head of every individu al who trusts in Him. “The L ORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 (NKJV). Continual, consistent guidance is a precious blessing. The mariner who is navigating the ocean’s trackless waters has no