Who is your leader, the one who determines your destination? We are all like sheep, we need a shepherd; and there are two leaders we can choose from. One leads us to heaven, and the other to hell fire. We must decide which one of them will lead us. Both of these leaders are inviting us to follow them.

Out of the over seven billion people in our world only a very few of them make the right choice for their leader. Most of the people choose the wrong leader and end up in hell fire. The reason for this is that the way to heaven is narrow, and requires self-denial, while the way to hell is easy and requires no sacrifice. Of all the professed Christians, only few will find their way to heaven. If it is God who leads us, then we will make it to heaven, because He knows the way.

“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isaiah 48:17

God introduces Himself to us as the Lord, God of heaven, who personally leads us by the good way, the perfect way that we should go to find happiness, salvation, and eternal life.

In this life, people are often confused, not knowing what to do, or where to go. They mess up their lives and bring untold misery upon themselves by refusing to follow the way of God and His leading, choosing rather to go their own way. So much suffering and trouble is created by selfishness, and by man’s greed; also by pride, envy, jealousy, and hatred, which causes people to do foolish things and make foolish decisions. Even physical sickness and early death are the results of man’s foolish way of living, eating, and drinking. God only knows the right way; He who created man knows what is good for our well-being and happiness.

Yet people think that they themselves have to decide which way to go, and how to live. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

Millions are choosing the way of death, which seems right to them. God knows that we cannot find the right way by ourselves, nor discern what to do in our lives. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23

Not even the angels have the ability to direct their own steps. When they decided to go their own way, make their own plans, and not follow the leading of God any more, they destroyed themselves, and became evil demons.

If we would start to decide for our lives, how many fiery trials would we choose, which are very precious to our character development? “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7

If Abraham would have been left to make his own decisions, would he have decided to sacrifice Isaac, his son? Yet what a beautiful lesson he learned by it, how God gave His own Son to die. Would Paul have chosen the painful thorn to afflict his flesh, which kept him humble? Would Joseph have decided to go to Egypt, and to prison? Yet, how many lives did he save by it? Would the many martyrs have decided on a martyr’s death for themselves?

In the world people choose thousands of ways in which to live, and that includes luxuries, fame, idleness, and pleasure. All this Satan offers to his followers, which will not bring them happiness. The way of God is narrow and difficult; you have to deny yourself, carry a cross and suffer affliction.

Yet, God’s people do not complain about the way that God leads them. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His way.” Psalm 37:23

Paul writes, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

God has promised to lead us throughout our lives, from birth to death. For every minute of our lives, God has made a plan, how to develop our characters to perfection.

It is not guaranteed that God is leading us, even if we are members of His church. Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Luke 9:55. They were in the company of Jesus, yet an evil spirit entered into them.

How do we know that an evil spirit may be controlling us? In Psalm 10:4 we read, “God is not in all his thoughts.” If the Holy Spirit is with us, then our thoughts are constantly on God and in His leading.

“He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.” Psalm 36:4. If we would abhor evil and hate sin, we would not want to watch television programmes for entertainment, for Bible reading would be more enjoyable to us.

“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Psalm 36:1. When no one is watching, he can do sin. He is afraid of men, especially other church members, but if God sees his wrong doing, he does not care.

Isaiah writes, “The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” Isaiah 59:8. They are easily upset, even from little offenses.

Again, how do we know that God is leading us? “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:79. When people would normally be upset and annoyed, and even angry, we have perfect peace in our hearts, during the worst offenses.

Also, He will guide us into all truth by His Holy Spirit. “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” John 16:13. Then we are not confused; then we have no doubts. The deep mysteries of God will be clear to us.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2. There may be a storm outside, even wars and battles may be going on, but we will be calm, as walking beside the still waters.

If God is leading us, there is one more thing He will do for us. “For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6–8

If someone can commit sin with impunity, without chastisement, then it may be that God is not leading him.

If we let God lead us, it may be in a way that we would never have chosen for ourselves. “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

“God never leads his children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 224–225

God loves you and cares for you. He wants to give you happiness. He gave His life for you—will He not give you all other things also? When he calls you, answer quickly, “Here am I Lord, take my heart, take my life, take all that I have, and lead me all the way to the end.” Amen.

Timo Martin