Have you ever watched a baby take their first steps? Their parents or guardians stand close by, hands outstretched, ready to catch them if they stumble. For the child, this assurance fosters confidence, encouraging them to try again until they perfect the skill of walking. In many ways, life should always feel like this—constantly learning, growing, and leaning on a guide. The challenges of a believer truly begin when he thinks he is now strong enough to walk without guidance.
As much as we like to think, “I’ve got a hang of it now,” the truth is none of us have walked this path before. Our daily routines may feel familiar, but every new day brings unforeseen challenges. The only way to navigate life unscathed is by trusting the One who knows the end from the beginning—by allowing Him to hold our hand and walk us through each step. (Isa. 46: 9-10)
After the Israelites left Egypt, they soon developed a self-sufficiency mindset. They no longer saw the need to inquire from God and seek His guidance. It was this very mindset that led them into many of their troubles. At several points in their journey, they believed they could “take it from here,” forsaking God’s guidance. This only made them vulnerable to their enemies’ attacks. (Pro. 16:25)
The key difference between Saul’s reign and David’s was their dependence on God’s guidance. Saul was more of a D-I-Y than a “trust in the Lord” kind of guy—the kind of guy David was. And we see the results of both of their choices. Though David’s reign was not without its battles, he was able to conquer every single one. As for Saul, it was the shame of his failure that caused him to take his own life. (1 Chr. 10:4, 13-14; 1 Sam. 23:2-4)
The scripture is clear:
Trust in the Lord, with all your heart, and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14 ESV
This brings me to my next point. You need God in your spiritual journey as well. The human heart is naturally inclined to evil (Jer. 17:9). When we let God guide us, we will remain on the right path. The Israelites—again—thought they could serve God by their own wisdom. But too quickly and too easily, they fell into adopting pagan ideologies and lifestyles. Without God’s direct input, they only fell deeper into rebellion and hardship. (Jud. 2:11-12)
One undeniable advantage of having God as your guide is that you will never miss your way. Have you ever followed GPS directions only to end up lost or taking unnecessary detours? Without a reliable guide, traveling can be frustrating. In the journey of life, there is no better guide than God. He is all-knowing—He knows the exact thing for you to do at the right time.
Moreover, with God, there is no such thing as a dead-end. Recall the story of the Israelites when they had just left Egypt. Pharaoh and his army pursued them, leaving them with only two options; drown in the sea or surrender to their enemy. If Moses had relied on human wisdom, he would have declared it the end of the road. Instead, he turned to God, and God gave them a third option. He said, “Go forward.” Go forward? Into a deep sea? But as they obeyed, as they trusted in God’s guidance, He made a way (Exo. 14:13-16). He turned a dreaded sea into a highway. If they had walked on their own, they would have faced destruction, but because they walked with God, the impossible became possible.
Yet, here’s the challenge: Many believers genuinely want God’s guidance but struggle with releasing the control. The issue is submission. It is difficult to follow someone you have not fully yielded to—this means surrendering personal will and desires for His divine direction. Until we understand that our own plans must be secondary to God’s, following His lead will be difficult, if not impossible. (Rom. 8:7; Lk. 9:23)
This is why many people pray for guidance yet end up convincing themselves that God is leading them toward the choice they already desire. True submission requires a willingness to lay down personal preferences and embrace whatever God is leading you toward—even when it is unexpected or uncomfortable.
The title of this message says, “Let God…” because it is possible to refuse His guidance. There is a Yoruba adage that says, Omo to ba sipa ni iya ma n gbe—meaning, it is the child who lifts up his arms that will be carried. God will not force His guidance upon us. He will nudge, prompt, and call us under His direction, but ultimately, the decision to submit is ours.
When we choose to trust and follow Him, we walk in divine purpose, protected and assured that we are on the right path. So, let God guide you—and experience the peace, clarity, and fulfillment that comes from walking with Him.
Faith+blog 