Guidance from GPS (Gods Perfect Supervision)
The guidance we follow determines our experiences and destinations.
We saw (4) similarities between how we leverage Gods Perfect Supervision (GPS) in life with how we use a GPS (Global Positioning System) to guide our routes.
1. A GPS uses a higher perspective (satellite) to optimally direct our routes. Similarly, our lives need Gods higher perspective to best guide them:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.“ [Isa 55:8,9]
2. The GPS can direct our route, however, it won't force us to follow it, nor drive our cars for us. Likewise, God offers to direct our lives, but WE alone decide to align with Gods guidance:
“... people can do the walking, but cannot truly direct and establish their own steps.” [Jer. 10:23]
"The mind of man plans his way, but only the LORD can direct his steps." [Prov. 16:9]
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” [Josh. 1:8]
3. Like the GPS automatically recalculates for our mistakes in order to resume the correct route, God always looks for ways to lead us back into His correct course designed for us.
“Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Turn back from your wrong ways and your wrong thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. You will see Him be merciful and abundantly pardon you.” [Isa. 55:7]
“I am your servant, but I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Please come after me, because I have not forgotten your teachings.” [Psa. 119:176]
The priority is resuming Gods course before we become lost and too prideful to admit so; making up our own path won’t lead us back to Gods.
4. The GPS may remember past routes / destinations, but it operates on the most accurate and current information it has. Similarly, God knows our past, but His guidance is always current, circumspect and accurate:
“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the LORD is proven flawless: He shields the way of all those that trust in Him.” [Psa. 18:30]
“The LORD says, “I will closely guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will always accurately advise you and lovingly watch over you.” [Psa. 32:8]
Our past often behaves like a ‘backseat driver’ when we face new situations... it only knows where we were... and can't fully see what lies ahead. (Of course, that doesn’t stop it from suggesting ways to destinations it’s never been to! 🤣) This makes our past occasionally useful for reference, but not dependable for guidance.
It’s been said that if we don’t learn from our past, we’ll repeat it in our future. But Scripture seems to suggest that allowing God to guide our steps from the present into the future is the only way to guarantee our peace of mind and satisfaction with our expectations.
“Only God gives inward peace, and my expectations are from Him.” [Psa. 62:5]
-Anothen
PS: for additional scriptures on the topic Guidance, see ‘Scriptures by Topic’ under our site Resources.
