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Isaiah 30:21 - Listening To The Still Small Voice.

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NLT) Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.

COMMENTARY PEARL

   In offering the prayer that Christ has given, we surrender ourselves to the guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in safe paths. We cannot offer this prayer in sincerity, and yet decide to walk in any way of our own choosing. We shall wait for His hand to lead us; we shall listen to His voice, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Isaiah 30:21.
   It is not safe for us to linger to contemplate the advantages to be reaped through yielding to Satan's suggestions. Sin means dishonor and disaster to every soul that indulges in it; but it is blinding and deceiving in its nature, and it will entice us with flattering presentations. If we venture on Satan's ground we have no assurance of protection from his power. So far as in us lies, we should close every avenue by which the tempter may find access to us.
   The prayer, "Bring us not into temptation," is itself a promise. If we commit ourselves to God we have the assurance, He "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
   The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character. MB117-118

COMMENTARY

   "If you encounter a bear in the wild, hug it! A bear can't scratch its own belly." "Bears can't run downhill." "Climb a tree to escape a bear." Advice abounds on the internet, but following bad advice during a bear encounter could get you killed. Bears can and do scratch their own bellies, and they can run up to 35 miles per hour - even downhill. They're also excellent climbers. If a bear approaches you in the wild, bear spray is the most effective deterrent.
   It's vital to get guidance from the right source. In Isaiah 30, God rebukes His rebellious children for taking counsel "not of Me" (v. 1). Instead of looking to God for salvation from the Assyrians, the Israelites turned to Egypt for help. Worse still, they actively avoided God's direction by asking His prophets to "prophesy deceits" (v. 10). They wanted nothing to do with God's way, so God predicted that Egypt would not help them and that the Assyrians would punish them.
   But even when His people intentionally disobey, God is merciful. "He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry," Isaiah told the rebellious people (v. 19). "He will answer" as soon as His people are willing to listen.
   Do you need guidance? Are you ready to hear from God and willing to follow His path? God promises that His word, like a divine GPS system, will whisper directions in your ear. Whether you need help with a big decision or moment-by-moment choices, the Holy Spirit is standing by with all the wisdom you need.
   Merciful Father, I need Your direction, and I'm ready to follow Your path. Please show me which way to go. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

   After losing our house to the Marshall Fire in Boulder, Colorado, we faced uncertainty. We'd not only lost all our possessions - we also had no home. We did have insurance, but like most everyone else, we were underinsured. We didn't know if we could rebuild or if we should sell our lot and find a new place. Should we stay in Boulder or move somewhere else? We had so many questions. I prayed constantly for God to give us direction.
   Our friends and family also asked us loads of questions about our future. Every time I said, "I don't know," I felt more anxious.
   To have peace, I had to figure out how to trust Jesus and believe He would show us the way to go. The Bible states He will guide us on right paths (Psalm 23:3), direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9), and assure us of His leading (Psalm 32:8).
   I started answering the questions from others with "I don't know, yet." Yet is a powerful little word that quelled my anxiety and infused hope into my answer. I may not have known His plan at that moment, but I believed He would reveal it to me eventually. It kept me hopeful in awaiting the unfolding of His plan.
   I believe if I keep seeking Jesus rather than answers to my questions, He will say, "This is the way, walk in it." Jeannie Blackmer
   Faith Step: For what current circumstances in your life are you seeking direction from Jesus? Do a Google search on "Bible verses promising God will direct you. " Write your favorites on note cards and keep them handy for reference when uncertain sneaks up on you. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

   I slowly pushed the shopping cart along the aisle, my eyes scanning the shelves for liquid soap. I was in a new grocery store that had just opened in my neighborhood, so I wasn't familiar with its layout and where everything was located.
   In my quest to find the soap, I heard a voice: "There are arrows on the floor. You're going the wrong way." I looked away from the shelves, and a woman near me was pointing downward as she passed by. Indeed, there were arrows pointing shoppers in the direction they should move throughout the store. I apologized and turned my cart around.
   I was so focused on what I wanted that I hadn't noticed the signs. But the voice had grabbed my attention. I later remembered the brief encounter, and I thought about the times I had clearly heard Jesus tell me what to do. When I followed His direction, it was the right way to go. Many times I've sought His guidance and longed to hear His voice, but the silence was deafening. Jesus, should I go left or should I go right? Should I even move at all? Sometimes, I had to wait patiently for the answer.
   Those fork-in-the-road moments can be challenging. But I've learned that's when I really need to be still and listen for Jesus's voice to guide me in the right direction. When I do, I never wind up going the wrong way. Barbranda Lumpkins Walls
   Faith Step: What decisions do you need to make today? Jesus is there to direct you. Just ask. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

   In offering the prayer that Christ has given, we surrender ourselves to the guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in safe paths. We cannot offer this prayer in sincerity, and yet decide to walk in any way of our own choosing. We shall wait for His hand to lead us; we shall listen to His voice, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Isaiah 30:21.
   It is not safe for us to linger to contemplate the advantages to be reaped through yielding to Satan's suggestions. Sin means dishonor and disaster to every soul that indulges in it; but it is blinding and deceiving in its nature, and it will entice us with flattering presentations. If we venture on Satan's ground we have no assurance of protection from his power. So far as in us lies, we should close every avenue by which the tempter may find access to us.
   The prayer, "Bring us not into temptation," is itself a promise. If we commit ourselves to God we have the assurance, He "will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
   The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of Christ transforms the character. MB117-118

God promises that His word, like a divine GPS system, will whisper directions in your ear. Whether you need help with a big decision or moment-by-moment choices, the Holy Spirit is standing by with all the wisdom you need. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

"I don't know, yet." Yet is a powerful little word that quelled my anxiety and infused hope into my answer. I may not have known His plan at that moment, but I believed He would reveal it to me eventually. It kept me hopeful in awaiting the unfolding of His plan. I believe if I keep seeking Jesus rather than answers to my questions, He will say, "This is the way, walk in it." Jeannie Blackmer [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

Many times I've sought His guidance and longed to hear His voice, but the silence was deafening. Jesus, should I go left or should I go right? Should I even move at all? Sometimes, I had to wait patiently for the answer... Those fork-in-the-road moments can be challenging. But I've learned that's when I really need to be still and listen for Jesus's voice to guide me in the right direction. When I do, I never wind up going the wrong way. Barbranda Lumpkins Walls [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 3:5, 6 - Trust in The LORD ... And Lean Not unto Thine Own Understanding.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250122-1405.html

Proverbs 1:7 - Knowledge Begins with Respect and Reverence for God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240302-0821.html

James 1:5 - FINDING WISDOM.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250210-1408.html

Psalm 25:9 - Thoughtful Living.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220405-0909.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/