(a) Because they do not diligently study God's word, and
seek to be filled with its truths and principles. They neglect
the cultivation of their minds and hearts in the school of
Christ, and so miss Divine guidance. One of the mightiest men of
God now living used to carry his Bible with him into the coal
mine when only a boy, and spent his spare time filling his mind
and heart with its heavenly truths, and so prepared himself to be
divinely led in mighty labours for God.
(b) They do not humbly accept the daily providences, the
circumstances, and conditions of their everyday life as a part of
God's present plan for them; as His school in which He would
train them for greater things; as His vineyard in which He would
have them diligently labour.
A young woman imagined she was called to devote herself entirely
to saving souls; but under the searching training through which
she had to pass saw her selfishness, and she said she would have
to return home, and live a holy life there, and seek to get her
family saved--something which she had utterly neglected--before
she could go into the work. If we are not faithful at home, or in
the shop, or mill, or store where we work, we shall miss God's
way for us.
(c) Because they are not teachable, and are unwilling to receive
instruction from other Christians. They are not humble-minded.
(d) Because they do not wait on God, and listen and heed the
inner leadings of the Holy Spirit. They are self-willed; they
want their own way. Some one has said, "That which is often asked
of God is not so much His will and way, as His approval of our
way." And another has said: "God's guidance is plain, when we are
true." If we promptly and gladly obey, we shall not miss the way.
Paul said of himself, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly
vision." He obeyed God at all costs, and so the Holy Spirit could
guide him.
(e) Because of fear and unbelief. It was this fearfulness of
unbelief that caused the Israelites to turn back, and not go into
Canaan when Caleb and Joshua assured them that God would help
them to possess the land. They lost sight of God, and feared the
giants and walled cities, and so missed God's way for them and
perished in the wilderness.
(f) Because they do not take everything promptly and confidently
to God in prayer.
Paul tells us to be "instant in prayer"; and I am persuaded that
it is slowness and delay to pray, and sloth and sleepiness in
prayer, that rob God's children of the glad assurance of His
guidance in all things.
(g) Because of impatience and haste. Some of God's plans
for us unfold slowly, and we must patiently and calmly wait on
Him in faith and faithfulness, assured that in due time He will
make plain His way for us, if our faith fail not. It is never
God's will that we should get into a headlong hurry; but that,
with patient steadfastness, we should learn to stand still when
the pillar of cloud and fire does not move, and that with loving
confidence and glad promptness we should strike our tents and
march forward when He leads.
"When we cannot see our way,
Let us trust and still obey;
He who bids us forward go,
Cannot fail the way to show.
Though the sea be deep and wide,
Though a passage seem denied;
Fearless, let us still proceed,
Since the Lord vouchsafes to lead."
Finally, we may rest assured that the Holy Spirit never leads His
people to do anything that is wrong, or that is contrary to the
will of God as revealed in the Bible. He never leads anyone to be
impolite and discourteous. "Be courteous" is a Divine command. He
would have us respect the minor graces of gentle, kindly manners,
as well as the great laws of holiness and righteousness.
He may sometimes lead us in ways that are hard for flesh and
blood, and that bring to us sorrow and loss in this life. He led
Jesus into the wilderness to be sore tried by the Devil, and to
Pilate's judgment hall, and to the cross. He led Paul in ways
that meant imprisonment, stonings, whippings, hunger and cold,
and bitter persecution and death. But He upheld Paul until he
cried out: "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake."
"Yea," said he, "I glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me." Hallelujah! Oh, to be thus led by our
Heavenly Guide!
"He leadeth me! Oh, blessed thought!
Oh, words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
"Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
By waters still, o'er troubled sea,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
"Lord, I will clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
"And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the victory's won,
E'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me."
"HAVE YE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST SINCE YE BELIEVED?"