(The School of Today and the Guidance of Communion)

July 28th reminds the believer that the Father’s work is never postponed to some distant future. Every circumstance of the present moment is part of his gracious training. Rather than waiting for more favorable conditions, the believer is called to respond faithfully now. This continual responsiveness also produces humility. Recognizing the weakness of our own judgment, we gladly seek the Father’s counsel, trusting that he alone knows the path that leads to the full manifestation of the life of his Son.

The Father’s Training Is Always Present

Chambers writes:

“God’s training is for now, not later. His purpose is for this very minute, not for some time in the future.” (My Utmost for His Highest)

Chambers reminds us that spiritual formation is always present tense.

It is easy to imagine that the Father is preparing us for some future season while overlooking the opportunities before us today.

Yet his training is found in this conversation.

This responsibility.

This disappointment.

This act of service.

This moment of obedience.

The Father does not suspend communion until our circumstances improve.

He reveals himself in the very circumstances through which he is shaping us.

Every moment becomes an opportunity for the spirit of sonship to respond.

Patience is formed by present interruptions.

Humility is learned through present correction.

Faith grows through present dependence.

The believer matures, not by waiting for extraordinary experiences, but by faithfully responding to the Father’s gracious operation in the ordinary moments of life.

The life of the Son is manifested one act of obedience at a time.

The Father’s Counsel Is Wiser Than Our Own

Spurgeon writes:

“Surely if we know our own heart, we must plead guilty to the indictment of a sinful folly; and conscious of this ‘foolishness,’ we must make David’s consequent resolve our own—‘Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel.’” (Morning and Evening)

Spurgeon reminds us that true wisdom begins with humility.

The believer who honestly knows his own heart does not trust his own understanding without reservation.

He recognizes how easily pride, fear, impatience, or self-interest can cloud his judgment.

This realization does not produce despair.

It produces dependence.

The Father’s counsel is always wiser than our own.

As the Holy Spirit bears witness with the human spirit, the believer becomes increasingly willing to submit every decision, every desire, and every plan to the Father’s direction.

The spirit of sonship delights to be taught.

It does not seek independence.

It seeks communion.

The Father’s guidance becomes increasingly clear as the heart willingly follows where he leads.

Where the Two Meet: Present Obedience Requires Continual Guidance

These truths belong together beautifully.

Chambers teaches that the Father’s training is always taking place in the present moment.

Spurgeon reminds us that every present moment requires the Father’s counsel.

One truth concerns the arena in which spiritual growth occurs.

The other concerns the wisdom by which that growth is directed.

Together they reveal that the believer does not simply endure today’s circumstances.

He embraces them as opportunities to walk under the Father’s guidance.

The life of the Son is manifested as today’s obedience is joined with continual dependence upon the Father’s wisdom.

Pastoral Orientation

July 28th calls for present obedience and humble dependence.

Do not postpone your responsiveness to the Father’s work until some future season.

Receive today’s opportunities as the very means by which he is forming the life of his Son within you.

Do not lean upon your own understanding.

Seek the Father’s counsel continually, trusting that his wisdom exceeds your own in every circumstance.

As you continue walking “after the spirit,” you will find that every ordinary moment becomes part of the Father’s gracious training, and that humble dependence upon his counsel steadily produces the quiet wisdom of the spirit of sonship.

Respond faithfully today.

Follow the Father’s counsel continually.

And you will discover a life that embraces the Father’s present training, walks humbly under his wise counsel, grows steadily through everyday obedience, and manifests the life of the Son through continual dependence, faithful responsiveness, and joyful communion, to the glory of the Father.