★ A Letter On Guidance!

The Secret of Jehovah is with them that fear HIM, (Psalm 25:14).

We do not expect any revelation or anything extraordinary, but HE, by laying on the mind what is pleasing to HIM, or by some other providential way, will indicate HIS will. This may be so distinct that it virtually amounts to a certainty in the mind, though we may not be able to prove it to another. The great thing is nearness to The LORD, and a subject mind, with the desire, "Show me THY way". HE sets before us an open door, with something to indicate that we may enter. We see HIS hand in it, recognize it and act accordingly.

This is something we have to learn experimentally. It is not easy to teach it to another, because it is not a mere mental or intellectual operation. Some years ago I passed through a great exercise of soul as to how I could know The LORD's will to go here or there. I spoke of it to J. N. Darby once when I met HIM at Alton, Illinois. The answer I got was, "The secret of The LORD is with them that fear HIM". I never forgot it. And I have found since then that when I could get no light, there was some cause, something in my state that hindered full communion.

Often there has been misgivings as to whether I had HIS mind;  but generally I have found that when any step was taken in HIS fear, sooner or later it became manifest that HE had guided. Sometimes it is "bit and bridle", some restraint, some hindrance, but this is where mere nature is working, or will work, and the eye is not clear. But the simple, normal thing is, "I will counsel thee with MINE Eye", (Psalm 32:8-9). GOD's WORD gives us the great principles. GOD's SPIRIT forms our heart in these principles;  and the little details fall into line with them.  We exercise our judgement;  but it is the judgment of a "sound mind"; that is, a mind formed in its workings by The WORD Of GOD.

A. H. Rule