Dr. Roger Smalling

Years ago, Dianne and I found ourselves on the southern border of Texas, preparing to enter Mexico as missionaries. But we hadn't the faintest idea where to minister in that vast country. So we spent a day in a motel seeking God. It was a typical missionary situation. We were on the way, but did not know exactly where to go. The Lord spoke to both of us through some biblical principles.

While we prayed, we felt peace that we should go to the next large city in Mexico, beyond the border towns. This was Ciudad Victoria, about 200 miles south of Texas. We had the name of a missionary there, although we did not know him personally. So off we went the next day.

Upon arrival in Ciudad Victoria, we looked up the missionary. He explained how he desired to start another church in a section of town that had none, but his up-coming move to Guadalajara left him no time. He introduced us to the family that wanted a church started on their property. We unpacked our suitcases and our ministry in Mexico started right there! God's personal word to us was fulfilled to the letter.

This sounds like we literally fell into God's will through a simple chain of events. Yet I vividly recall the feeling of uncertainty as we wrestled for guidance in that motel room.

Is it normal to find ourselves puzzling over God's will from time to time? During a recent Bible study on Divine Guidance, a new Christian complained that God's will is sometimes difficult to find. "Why doesn't He speak audibly and just say what He wants? he asked. But we needn't feel something is wrong because God's will is temporarily obscure. Good reasons exist for this phenomenon.

The Lord sometimes speaks in striking ways. At times we have no doubt about guidance.

But finding God's will is frequently harder than that, as though He were deliberately hiding it. The Christian may be obliged to act like a detective hunting for clues. He digs into the Word, seeks counsel, and prays for guidance. He wishes God would speak louder. He might even develop feelings of inferiority, because he cannot hear God clearly. Eventually the clues all point in one direction so that he reaches... Click Here To Continue Reading