Being Led by the Spirit: Faith and Obedience

Devotional

Day 1: Faith to Hear and Stay

In times of famine, lack, or uncertainty, it takes faith to remain where God has placed you, even when everyone else is seeking escape. Isaac’s story reminds us that God’s direction may not always align with human logic or the actions of those around us. When God says to stay, He also promises His presence and blessing in that very place of difficulty. Trusting God’s voice above the noise of fear and scarcity positions you for supernatural provision and favor, even when circumstances seem impossible. [12:11]

Genesis 26:1-5 (NKJV)
There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel tempted to “escape” instead of staying where God has called you? What would it look like to trust Him and remain, even when it’s uncomfortable?

Day 2: Faith to Hear and Obey

Obedience to God’s voice often requires courage to act on instructions that defy human understanding or comfort. Joseph’s willingness to obey the angel’s message regarding Mary, despite the social and personal cost, demonstrates the power of faith-filled obedience. When you choose to obey God’s leading, even when it’s difficult or unprecedented, you open the door for His greater purposes to unfold in your life and the lives of others. [14:30]

Matthew 1:18-25 (NKJV)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Reflection: Is there an area where God is prompting you to obey, even though it doesn’t make sense to others? What step of obedience can you take today?

Day 3: Faith to Hear and Go

Sometimes God’s leading requires you to move, to step out of your comfort zone, or to leave behind what is familiar. Joseph’s immediate response to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, and later to return, shows the importance of being sensitive and responsive to God’s direction. Faith to “go” means trusting God’s timing and guidance, even when the journey is uncertain or the destination is unknown. [16:30]

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-21 (NKJV)
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” … Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Reflection: Is God calling you to “go” somewhere new—whether physically, relationally, or spiritually? What is one step you can take in faith toward that direction?

Day 4: Persevering Through Opposition

Even when you are following God’s leading, opposition, strife, and setbacks may arise. Isaac’s experience of digging wells, facing hostility, and moving forward without contention teaches us to persevere and maintain peace, trusting that God will ultimately make room for you. The blessing is not in fighting for your own way, but in continually listening to God, moving forward, and letting Him bring you into your Rehoboth—your place of spaciousness and fruitfulness. [25:37]

2 Timothy 2:24 (AMPC)
And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered (preserving the bond of peace); he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.

Reflection: When you face opposition or unfair treatment, how can you choose peace and perseverance instead of contention? Who do you need to “move on” from or forgive today?

Day 5: God Redeems Missed Opportunities

If you feel you have missed God’s leading, failed in obedience, or lost your chance, take heart—God is not finished with you. The stories of Moses, Jonah, and John Mark show that God’s grace restores, redeems, and gives new opportunities, even after failure or delay. Surrender your past to God, refuse to live in regret, and trust that He can make much of your surrendered story. The move of God is not over; it is just beginning for those who yield to Him. [32:50]

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What regret or past mistake do you need to surrender to God today? How can you trust Him to redeem your story and move forward in faith?

Sermon Summary

In every season of life, the most vital thing is to be led by the Spirit of God. There are many voices in the world—our own desires, the opinions of others, the pressures of circumstances—but the voice that matters most is the voice of God. When we cultivate a discerning spirit, we position ourselves to recognize what God is doing, to hear what He is saying, and to obey where He is leading. This is not just a spiritual exercise; it is the key to living in the fullness of God’s provision, protection, and purpose.

Throughout Scripture, we see that those who walk closely with God are often found in the right place at the right time. It is not by accident, but by sensitivity to the Spirit. Whether it was Isaac staying in a land of famine, Joseph obeying the angel’s instructions regarding Mary and Jesus, or the countless men and women who moved with God, their stories teach us that faith is required not only to go, but sometimes to stay, to wait, or even to return. The answer to a thousand and one questions is simply: be led.

Obedience to God’s leading does not guarantee a life free from opposition or difficulty. Isaac faced repeated hostility and setbacks, yet he continued to dig new wells until he reached his Rehoboth—a place of spaciousness and fruitfulness. The lesson is clear: even in the midst of adversity, keep moving with God, keep listening, and keep obeying. The blessing is found not in striving or fighting, but in patient, persistent faith.

For those who feel they have missed God’s leading, made mistakes, or lost opportunities, there is hope. God is not finished with you. Just as He restored Moses, Jonah, and John Mark, He can redeem your past and make much of it when you surrender it to Him. Do not live in regret or try to edit your past; instead, trust God to bring forth fruitfulness from every season. The move of God is not over—it is just beginning. As children of God, we can hear His voice, and as we respond in faith, we will find ourselves in the land of blessing and increase.

Key Takeaways

1. Sensitivity to the Spirit is Essential for Fruitful Living The ability to discern God’s voice above all others is foundational. With so many competing voices—our emotions, the world, even the enemy—only a heart attuned to the Spirit can recognize what God is doing and respond accordingly. This sensitivity is cultivated through prayer, the Word, and a posture of humility and expectation. [01:45]
2. Faith is Required to Stay, Go, or Obey—Even When It Defies Logic Sometimes God calls us to remain in difficult places, as He did with Isaac during famine, or to take bold steps of obedience, as Joseph did with Mary and Jesus. The common thread is faith: trusting God’s leading even when it contradicts conventional wisdom or personal comfort. The blessing is found in obedience, not in the path that seems easiest. [12:11]
3. Obedience Does Not Exempt Us from Opposition, but Perseverance Brings Breakthrough Isaac’s wells were repeatedly stopped up by adversaries, yet he did not retaliate or give up. Instead, he kept moving, kept digging, and eventually reached a place of abundance. In our own lives, opposition is not a sign that we are out of God’s will; often, it is confirmation that we are on the right path. Perseverance in obedience leads to our own “Rehoboth”—a place of open space and fruitfulness. [25:37]
4. God Redeems Our Failures and Missed Opportunities Even when we miss God’s leading, act in fear, or abandon our assignments, God’s grace is greater. The stories of Moses, Jonah, and John Mark remind us that God does not give up on us. When we surrender our past to Him, He can restore, reposition, and use us for His glory. Regret is not our portion; redemption is. [29:00]
5. The Move of God is Ongoing—It’s Never Too Late to Respond No matter where you find yourself—whether you feel ahead, behind, or completely lost—the invitation to move with God remains open. The move of God is not a one-time event but a continual invitation to recognize, hear, and obey. As we yield ourselves afresh, we step into the land of blessing, increase, and divine purpose. [32:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Praying the Word and Setting the Foundation
[03:30] - The Importance of Discerning the Move of God
[05:10] - Recognize, Hear, and Obey: The Three Keys
[08:56] - The Value of Knowing God’s Will
[10:30] - Many Voices: Learning to Hear God’s Voice
[12:11] - Faith to Hear and Stay: Isaac’s Example
[15:00] - Faith to Hear and Obey: Joseph’s Story
[17:30] - Faith to Hear and Go: Moving with God’s Timing
[19:45] - Navigating Difficult Times with Obedience
[22:02] - Isaac’s Prosperity and the Principle of Rehoboth
[25:37] - Handling Opposition: Digging Another Well
[29:00] - When You Miss God: Redemption Stories
[32:50] - God Has Not Given Up on You
[34:00] - Responding to God’s Move and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 26:1-5, 12-22 (ESV) — > 1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines.
> 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.
> 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.
> 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
> 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
> ...
> 12 And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him,
> 13 and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.
> 14 He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him.
> 15 (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.)
> 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
> 17 So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.
> 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them.
> 19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water,
> 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.
> 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.
> 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

2. Romans 8:14 (ESV)
> For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

3. Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)
> 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
> 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
> 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
> 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
> ...
> 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
> 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 26, what specific instructions did God give to Isaac during the famine, and how did Isaac respond?
According to Romans 8:14, what is the mark of being a child of God?
In Matthew 1, what was Joseph’s initial plan when he discovered Mary was pregnant, and how did his response change after hearing from God?
The sermon mentions that Isaac faced repeated opposition when digging wells. What did Isaac do each time he faced this opposition?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God sometimes asks us to stay in difficult or uncomfortable situations, as He did with Isaac? What might God be teaching us through these seasons?
The sermon says, “The answer to a thousand and one questions is simply: be led.” What does it look like in real life to be led by the Spirit, especially when it goes against what seems logical or comfortable?
Isaac did not fight back or retaliate when others stopped up his wells. What does this teach us about handling opposition or setbacks in our own lives?
The sermon shared stories of Moses, Jonah, and John Mark missing God’s leading but being restored. What does this reveal about God’s character and His plans for us, even after failure?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized the importance of discerning God’s voice above all others. What are some “voices” in your life right now that compete with God’s voice? How can you intentionally tune in to what God is saying this week?
Isaac had to stay in a land of famine because God told him to, even though it didn’t make sense. Is there an area in your life where God might be asking you to “stay” or “wait” when you’d rather move on? How are you responding?
Joseph obeyed God’s instructions even when it was hard and didn’t make sense to others. Can you think of a time when you had to obey God in a way that was difficult or misunderstood? What helped you follow through?
Isaac kept digging new wells instead of fighting back when he faced opposition. Is there a situation in your life where you need to “dig another well” instead of striving or fighting? What would that look like practically?
The sermon said, “Regret is not our portion; redemption is.” Are there past mistakes or missed opportunities that you’re still holding onto? What would it look like to surrender them to God and trust Him to redeem your story?
The move of God is ongoing, and it’s never too late to respond. Is there a step of faith or obedience you sense God inviting you to take right now? What’s holding you back, and how can the group support you in taking that step?
The sermon mentioned cultivating sensitivity to the Spirit through prayer, the Word, and humility. Which of these do you want to focus on this week, and what’s one practical way you can do that?

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