Facing a big decision?  What is big?  Let’s face it, there are hundreds of decisions we make throughout the course of the day that often times don’t even register as decisions (e.g. changing a radio station, what to eat for lunch, our response to a yellow light, etc).  However, there are other decisions that carry a little more weight in our minds.  Decisions that impact finances or relationships.  Decisions that deal with a possible job change.

Whatever decision you are facing or that you will face, how do you decide?  Do you make an educated guess?  Do you seek advice?  Who are your advisors?

The Bible provides great insight into making big decisions.  God has not left us alone to simply do the best we can.  God speaks.  I know the response of some… Yes, I know God speaks, but how do I know if it’s God or if it’s just me?

Here are a few practical reminders from Scripture:

God speaks through His Word, the Bible – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

God speaks through His Spirit within us – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

God speaks through our circumstances – See Acts 16 and notice how God used circumstances to help Paul make a big decision.

God speaks through advisors – Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

The past few weeks I have been reading through I & II Chronicles in the mornings.  2 Chronicles 17 turns our attention towards Jehoshaphat (David’s great, great, great grandson).  In chapter 18, Jehoshapat (King of Judah) allied himself with Ahab (King of Israel).  Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to go to battle with him against Ramoth-gilead.  This qualifies as a big decision in my book.  Before Jehoshaphat agrees, he tells Ahab to Inquire first for the word of the Lord (18:4).  Then he challenges Ahab to not simply trust his own decision-making skills but to inquire of others.  Is there not another prophet of the Lord whom we may inquire? (18:6).  This is great advice when making big decisions.

WARNING: In 18:7, Ahab reveals to Jehoshaphat that there is a prophet (Micaiah) but he doesn’t like him.  Why?  Because Ahab says he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. Here is the warning.  When seeking advice from others prior to making a big decision, don’t simply inquire of those who will tell you what you want to hear.  Ahab didn’t listen to the counsel of the Lord through the prophet Micaiah (don’t go to war with Ramoth-Gilead) and he suffered greatly for it (see 2 Chronicles 18:34).

What about you?  How have you sensed God’s voice when making a big decision?