Seeking God’s Guidance

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Learning to Follow God’s Direction

Today, we continue our message series “Basic Training,” focusing on what it means to live as disciplined followers of God. One of the most important things for a soldier to learn is that they must follow closely the orders of their commanding officer. In order to follow those orders, they need to learn to listen carefully to what their commander tells them.

In the battlefield, both their life and the lives of the unit depend on keeping the communication lines open. The same is true for you and I as soldiers in God’s army. Today, our message is entitled “Seeking God’s Guidance.”

One of the most important lessons that you can learn in life is to recognize that you don’t know enough to plan your own course in life. We all need God’s guidance to direct our decisions in life.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

In these verses, God’s Word warns us not to rely on our own understanding. Rather, we are to trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in every area of our lives. Then the promise is that He will make your paths straight, or better translated, He will guide you on the right paths.

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."

When you come to a fork in the path and don’t know which way to turn, God wants to show you whether to go right or left. In every decision in life, we need to hear God’s voice directing us in the right way to walk. God desires to be actively involved in guiding His people.

John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

A lot of people claim to follow Jesus, yet don’t know His voice. Jesus says clearly that if you’re a true believer and a true follower of Him, then you will be able to listen to His voice. You must be able to hear His voice in order to follow Jesus.

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

If we lack wisdom in any area of our lives, God’s Word promises us that when we ask God for that wisdom, He will give it to us. Today, we’re going to learn more about seeking God’s guidance and how God wants to speak to you so that He can guide you in the best path for your life.

Yet there is another voice, the voice of our enemy Satan, that seeks to guide you on paths that lead you away from God and His purposes. As we study His Word this morning, God wants to train us to better discern and follow His voice. As we learn to recognize the authentic voice of God, it will be easier to discern the counterfeit.

Today, we are going to look at 2 Chronicles 20 concerning the good king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, as he is confronted with probably the greatest challenge of his life. I believe that Jehoshaphat’s actions are a good example of how to seek God’s guidance in our own lives and situations.

Choose to Seek God

2 Chronicles 20:1–2 (NIV) After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea."

Three major armies had banded together to attack King Jehoshaphat and the land of Judah. These armies had many more men than the armies of Judah, and in the natural the situation looked grim indeed. Faced with overwhelming odds, the king had to decide how he would respond.

He chose to seek God and to fast, rather than relying on military strength or political alliances. His first instinct was not panic or retreat, but dependence on the Lord. This decision set the foundation for everything that followed.

Consider Fasting

2 Chronicles 20:3 (NIV) Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

The king was alarmed by the news of the coming invasion of his country, and his reaction was honest and human. First of all, he chose to seek God in order to know what to do about the crisis. Secondly, he proclaimed a fast so that all the people of Judah would join him in seeking God’s deliverance.

Fasting demonstrates seriousness in seeking God and aids in humble prayer. It helps attune the mind and heart to hearing from God more clearly. In moments of deep need, fasting can help align God’s people with His will.

Invite Others to Pray

2 Chronicles 20:4 (NIV) The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

King Jehoshaphat didn’t just seek the Lord on his own, but invited all the people of Judah to come together and seek God as a community. The people responded to the king’s invitation and came from every town to seek God’s help. Together, they acknowledged their dependence on the Lord in the face of an imminent invasion.

Seeking God Together in Life’s Challenges

There are different types of situations that we face in life, and some are urgent and life-threatening, just as the coming invasion of Judah was. Others are not so urgent, nor do they carry the same level of consequence. In every decision in life, we ought to seek God’s guidance, while adapting our approach based on the significance of the issue.

Smaller issues can often be handled with prayer within your own life and family. In bigger issues, it is wise to invite others in your Life Group to pray and to seek God’s wisdom together. God does not want you to handle big issues on your own, and He calls His people to stand together in prayer.

Pray in God’s Presence

2 Chronicles 20:5 (NIV) Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard.

The king led the people who had assembled in Jerusalem in prayer before the Lord. Although it is possible for people to pray separately for the same issue, there is greater power released when God’s people gather together in His presence. Corporate prayer reflects unity and shared dependence on God.

We can learn a great deal from Jehoshaphat’s prayer, because it shows a clear pattern for seeking God’s guidance. The first thing that he did was to acknowledge who God is and what God is able to do.

Acknowledge God’s Power

2 Chronicles 20:6 (NIV) "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."

When you’re facing a huge invading army, the aspect of God’s character you need most is His power. Jehoshaphat acknowledges that God rules over all the nations, including those that were invading Judah. He declares that no person or nation can stand against the power of the Lord.

Remember God’s Past Actions

2 Chronicles 20:7 (NIV) O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

Jehoshaphat reminds the people that when Israel entered the Promised Land, it was filled with powerful nation-states. God drove those nations out and gave the land to His people. By remembering God’s past actions, the king strengthens the faith of the people to trust God for their present situation.

Present the Current Situation

2 Chronicles 20:10 (NIV) "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them."

Jehoshaphat explains that the very nations attacking Judah were shown mercy by Israel in the past. Despite that mercy, these nations now sought to destroy God’s people. The king honestly presents the injustice and danger of the current situation before the Lord.

Ask for God to Intervene

2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV) O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'

We already know that the king was alarmed at the present situation. Yet the first words from the Lord tell the people not to be afraid or discouraged. Although humanly speaking they did not stand a chance, God assured them that the battle belonged to Him.

Because the battle was not theirs but God’s, they did not need to fear the outcome. God was in control of the situation from beginning to end, and His sovereignty removed the need for panic or despair.

Believe That God Is With You

2 Chronicles 20:17–18a (NIV) You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

The king openly acknowledges his lack of power and wisdom in facing the invading army. He admits that he does not know what to do, but he declares that his eyes are fixed on the Lord. This prayer expresses complete dependence on God for direction, strength, and deliverance.

Preparing Your Heart to Hear God

When you’re facing a difficult situation, these are good guidelines to remember in your prayer life. Don’t begin with the greatness of your problem, but begin with the greatness of your God. Remember what God has done in the past and trust Him for your future.

Acknowledge that you don’t know what to do, but God does. As you do this, you prepare your heart to listen for His guidance. God honors humble dependence and attentive hearts.

Listen for God’s Instruction

2 Chronicles 20:14 (NIV) Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

God gave His instructions through the Holy Spirit by speaking through a man named Jahaziel. This was a prophetic word given publicly to guide the king and the people. God speaks in many different ways, and He can and still does speak through prophetic words today.

Trust That God Is in Control

We already know that the king was alarmed at the present situation. Yet the word from the Lord tells the people not to be afraid or discouraged. Although humanly speaking they did not stand a chance, God assured them that the outcome did not depend on their strength.

Because the battle was not theirs but God’s, they did not need to fear the result. God was fully in control of the situation from beginning to end. When God takes ownership of the battle, His people can rest in His sovereignty.

Believe That God Is With You

In most cases, Israel’s army had to fight their enemies, but in this situation they would not even have to fight. They were instructed to take their positions, stand firm, and watch God bring deliverance. The promise that followed was clear and reassuring.

The Lord assured them that He Himself would be with them. His presence, not their power, would determine the outcome. Knowing that God was with them removed the need for fear or discouragement.

Trusting How God Speaks Today

How does God speak to us today? He speaks in the same ways we see throughout Scripture, including through His Word and by the Holy Spirit. God also speaks through other believers and through circumstances when our hearts are attentive.

When you pray, believe that God will answer and prepare yourself to listen. As you listen and respond in obedience, God will guide you in the way you should go. His guidance is always faithful and timely.

Put God’s Plan into Action

It is not enough just to know what to do, because obedience requires action. Once God has spoken, His people must respond in faith rather than hesitation. Trust is proven by obedience.

Putting God’s plan into action always begins with believing what He has said. Faith moves us from hearing to doing. God honors those who step forward in obedience.

Have Faith in God

2 Chronicles 20:20 (NIV) Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."

The king exhorted the people to place their faith firmly in the Lord their God. He also called them to trust the prophetic word that God had spoken with clear direction. Faith in God and confidence in His word are inseparable.

Praise God for His Guidance

2 Chronicles 20:21 (NIV) After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."

Because God had told them they would not have to fight, Jehoshaphat appointed a praise team to lead the way. These men went ahead of the army worshiping and thanking God. Their praise was an act of faith before the victory was visible.

See God Bring the Victory

2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV) As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

As soon as the praise began, the Lord moved on behalf of His people. The invading armies turned on one another and were completely destroyed. By the time Judah arrived at the battlefield, the victory had already been won by God.

Trusting God When His Plan Seems Unusual

Following God’s plan was not easy or logical from a human perspective. Marching toward an enemy without weapons and led by worshipers required great faith. Yet God’s wisdom always surpasses human understanding.

Even though God fought the battle, the army of Judah still had to step out in obedience. As they obeyed and praised God, they experienced His miraculous deliverance. Obedience positioned them to receive the victory.

Conclusion: Walking Forward with God’s Guidance

What enemy are you facing in your life or in the lives of those close to you? The enemy may not be physical, but it may involve health, finances, relationships, work, or other challenges. When the situation feels overwhelming, do not give up.

Remember that the Lord is with you and that no enemy can withstand His power. Pray with others, receive God’s guidance, act upon it in faith, and trust Him to bring the victory.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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