In Times of Perplexity
Deuteronomy 8:2
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way...
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, From Fear to Faith on Habakkuk 1:13 "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?"
People usually want a clear answer to a specific question, but the Bible does not always give us what we desire in this respect.
It does, however, teach us a method...
1. Stop to think...James 1:19
2. Re-state basic principles...
All God's works (purposeful and permissive) are for His Glory and good (knowing that our ultimate good is in heaven).
Consider His attributes Knowing God
Psalm 27, 34, 35, 37 & 73
3. Apply those principles to the problem...
4. If still in doubt, commit the problem to God in faith...take the problem to God in prayer and leave it there with Him.
Spiritual Depression
...do not consider the suggestion that comes to you from all directions - from within yourself (and) the voices that seem to be speaking around and about you...when they suggest that you should give up, or give way, or give in. You must say to yourself, 'whatever happens I am going on.'
If you don't know what to do, keep faithfully doing that last thing God told you to do.
(We must however continually seek the direction of the Holy Spirit. Situations change; people change; new opportunities become apparent. If you are called to a significant change in direction, the Spirit will make it quite clear.)
No Problem Is Bigger Than God; We Must See The Problem Through His Eyes
2 Chronicles 20:12b
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon our God.
Thomas Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, Chapter IX. “The Everlasting Yea”
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/carlyle/thomas/sartor_resartus/book2.9.html
Do the Duty which lies nearest thee, which thou knowest to be a Duty! Thy second Duty will already have become clearer.
Samuel Annesley Morning Exercises at Cripplegate
Do what you know, and God will teach you what to do. Do what you know to be your present duty, and God will acquaint you with your future duty as it comes to be present.
(Stop lamenting "if only", worrying about "what if", and start dealing with "what now?". God will show you your next step.)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community
There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.
(God has a purpose in our journey that we cannot yet see, and that He has no obligation to reveal - Proverbs 16:9)
John Flavel The Mystery of Providence
Some providences, like Hebrew letters, must be read backwards.
When the time comes that you must make a decision, having carefully examined the situation and in confidence that your motivation is not sin, self, Satan or the world, sure that your decision is not in conflict with God's revealed word in Scripture, and having earnestly and humbly prayed...say with Nehemiah (7:5) ...my God put it into my heart...to act...and say with Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:6) "It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD..."
Then act with all your heart, soul, mind and might to God's glory (Colossians 3:17) praying "Now strengthen my hands." (Nehemiah 6:9b) and give me "a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind/judgment." (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV/CSB)
Frances Havergal
(Consider that) the hedges that seem to hinder our way may be there for our protection.
Octavius Winslow Daily Walking With God on Isaiah 26:4
What a marvelous and precious cluster of Divine encouragements to those who trust in the Lord with all their heart, under all circumstances, and at all times! "Only trust," is Jesus' word. "This is all I ask of you, the utmost thing I require at your hand. I demand no costly sacrifice—no wearisome pilgrimage—no personal worthiness—no strength, or wisdom, or self-endeavors of your own. Only trust me. Only believe that I wait to answer prayer—that I am gracious—that I have all power at my command—that I have your interest at heart—that there is no good thing I am willing to withhold—that I, and I alone, can guide your present steps, can unravel the web of your difficulties, guide your perplexities, extricate you from the snares that have woven their net-work around your feet, and bring you through fire and through water into a wealthy place. Only trust me!"
F.B. Meyer
Lord of Power and Love! I come, trusting in Thine almighty strength, and Thine infinite goodness, to beg from Thee what is wanting in myself; even that grace which shall help me such to be, and such to do, as Thou wouldst lead me. I will trust Thee, in Whom is everlasting strength. Be Thou my Helper, to carry me on beyond my own strength, and to make all that I think, and speak, and do, acceptable in Thy sight, through Jesus Christ.
William Cowper, Conflict: Light Shining out of Darkness, 1773
On John 13:7 Jesus said, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.
George S. Merriam in Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1884
However perplexed you may be, one resource is always at hand: you can do something for someone besides yourself. When you cannot see God, there is still open to you the opportunity of showing God. There may be times when you cannot find help, but there is no time when you cannot give help.