Speak, Lord

Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.

Psalm 32:9

A certain harbor in Italy can be entered only through a narrow channel bounded by dangerous rocks and shoals. To keep ships in the center of the channel at night, three beacons stand on poles in the water. When all three lights are lined up perfectly so they appear as one, a ship’s captain knows he is in the center of the channel. To enter when the lights don’t shine as one is to risk certain calamity.

How foolish would a ship’s captain have to be to enter that harbor while one of the lights was out of line with the other two—and especially if all three were visible? God has given the Christian three divine lights that, when aligned in one direction, give certainty concerning His will: a divine standard (the Bible), a divine witness (the Holy Spirit), and divine circumstances (the providence of God). He may, or may not, provide all three at once. But to ignore any, or all, of these guiding lights when they are given is to risk being outside of God’s will.

God’s guidance is seen most clearly by those who live in eager anticipation of receiving it.