A Heart That Will Follow

I will continue now with Thomas Manton’s thoughts on the kind of heart required to experience the promised guidance of God.  After a fear of the Lord, Manton says the next qualification is humility or meekness.  “He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way” (Psalm 25:9).  Humility is not weakness, but a willingness to submit to God, whatever condition He sovereignly appoints in life.  This is the person the Lord can teach and direct.  When a naturely proud human heart surrenders the idolatry of its own will, and in humility entirely depends on the Lord’s help, then that person will experience clear direction from God.  That guidance will give a settled assurance to the heart that all is well, through whatever pathway He leads.  God’s direction won’t come in an audible voice, or with some kind of celestial signpost, and it won’t bypass our reasoning processes. The ability to reason, consider and evaluate are divine gifts to be used in decision making.  But His direction will be enjoyed by humble hearts with a sincere conviction that whatever providential road we travel, He will be with us.