Guard Us, Guide Us: Divine Leading in Life's Decisions - Hardcover

Packer, J. I.; Nystrom, Carolyn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801013038 ISBN 13: 9780801013034

Publisher: Baker Books, 2008

Synopsis

Seeking God's guidance is a focus for many believers. We want to know what God has planned for our lives. Are we making the right decision? Are we in his will? For some people, knowing God is guiding their lives makes them relax and enjoy the ride. But others fear making the wrong choice and find themselves paralyzed as they wait for signs from above.
J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom answer these fears with Guard Us, Guide Us. With a solid biblical footing, they shed light on the notion of God's guidance in response to the many misunderstandings well-meaning Christians can have. Readers seeking God's will in major life decisions, as well as anyone interested in understanding how God guides us, will welcome this practical and inspiring book.

About this title

About the Author

J. I. Packer is Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, and an executive editor for Christianity Today. He is the author or editor of more than thirty books, including the bestselling classic, Knowing God. Packer lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Carolyn Nystrom is a freelance writer and coauthor of Is the Reformation Over? She lives in St. Charles, Illinois.

From the Back Cover

Your Shepherd Promises to Guide You

We face decisions every day--some big, some small. As Christians, we seek to submit the choices we make to God's will. Unfortunately, for many the process of discerning God's will has become fraught with fear and confusion, leading to such questions as: Does God guide? If so, how? How will I know when he does? What if I make a mistake?

J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom seek to free us from such fear. Beginning with an exploration of Psalm 23, they show that in his covenant role as our Good Shepherd, God has promised to both guide and guard us, his sheep. We need not doubt that he will lovingly grant the guidance we need as we seek him. And we can take comfort that just as a shepherd retrieves and redirects sheep that go off course, he will do the same for us.

In this rich study of divine guidance, Packer and Nystrom show the importance of cultivating a lifestyle of Bible-based wisdom and discernment. And they take seriously the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding his people, neither downplaying the supernatural element of divine guidance nor elevating it beyond our reach to the level of the "super-spiritual," or worse, the superstitious.

From the Inside Flap

How do I know God's will for my life? For my career? For who I should marry? For what I should do today? Divine guidance is perhaps the subject of most keen interest to Christians as well as the least understood. In this biblical and practical exploration of divine guidance, you'll find solid foundations for understanding how and why God guides his people. Discover the role of Scripture, discernment, wisdom, the counsel of others, and the Holy Spirit in helping us discover God's will.

A helpful study guide for individual or group use is included.

Reviews

Christians have long struggled over discerning where and how God leads in their lives, a tense sensitivity as described by Packer, an evangelical theologian, and Nystrom, a freelance writer who has collaborated with him before. The pair delves deep into the Bible and Christian tradition to reveal the many layers associated with God's guidance, a concept that for many Christian people evokes both fascination and fear. First comes a spiritual health checkup, because without spiritual health things simply won't come right. The keys to true God-given guidance come from reliance on God's teachings and commandments in scripture; spiritual wisdom; advice from godly friends; relevant models from the past; and, finally, the Holy Spirit. Each chapter is a thorough, logical and meaty discussion of the many dimensions of the subject, often addressing mistakes and misconceptions regarding how exactly God leads. God's guidance, the authors say, is part of his larger ministry to us. That guidance applies to every large and small decision, and peace comes when the solution has been found. Packer's books are not for folks looking for a quick fix, but for those eagerly searching for deep understanding and willing to read carefully. Added benefits are a discussion of situation ethics and some reflection questions. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801013038
• ISBN 13: 9780801013034
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272