Nougat 24

In response to our Nougat yesterday, one of our members noted that sometimes our approach to God’s Spirit leans toward manipulation. She was responding to a comment that some of us continuously flock godly prophets for a gist of the future. In some instances, we’re only open to hearing from the ‘man/woman of God’, not even consulting our Bibles. (Some of my folks and I refer to this as getting a ‘Holy Ghost read up’.) That is equally dangerous, especially when we stop looking to God and only rely on that prophet’s directive. The member posited, and I concur, that it’s as if we’re telling God’s Spirit to align to our will, rather than trusting God to direct our path.

(Ouch)

Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to reflect on approaching God for direction.

‭Acts 1:24-25 NIV‬

[24] Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

[25] to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”

Seeking God for Direction

The Teacher says in Proverbs, ‘Trust in the Lord with our whole heart, and do not depend on our knowledge and wisdom…’. While many of us agree with this directive, we might have wondered about how and when. I suspect that may be what initially drives us to seek prophetic insights or confirmation that we’re going in the right direction. It becomes a problem when we stop seeking God’s face and only affirmation from others.

Our Nougat takes us to that moment when the disciples seek to restore the group dynamics just before Pentecost. They were 11, selecting 1 person, possibly from the 72. How could they make a fair, unbiased, godly decision? One that would ‘satisfy’ everyone and remain transparent.

They did what David did. They sought God’s input. It was what Jesus did to select them. (In David’s era, one consulted the Levites, who discerned God’s will through the Ummim and Thumin.) Jesus taught them to pray directly to God, with no priest as the mediator. And, now that they had direct access to God’s Spirit, they could also consult God for themselves.

Siblings, so can we.

Not only for making decisions in our fellowship, but in all we do every day. Remember, God has a vested interest in what we say and do. Our actions ought to testify of God’s presence in our lives, so including God’s input is vital.

It doesn’t have to be a long prayer. It doesn’t have to be a loud prayer. It ought to be a two-way conversation, not a monologue. We might opt to read the Bible or simply be still in God’s presence. But let’s not say what we have to say and exit stage right. Or exit stage left, running to the nearest ‘profit’, without giving God the chance to commune with us as friend with friend.

Yes, there is room for prophetic word or input. It is a key spiritual gift. And prophecy often adds clarity or confirmation. But please let us remember that God’s Spirit dwells in us for a reason. To give us insights from God. To draw us closer to God. To help us make critical, unbiased, and godly decisions. To help us grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of God.

Let us seek God’s Spirit for direction and in our decisions.

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May all we seek be found in Christ