In Acts 9, when the Lord speaks to Saul - who would later become Paul - we see a clear example of direct guidance from God. Saul asks, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” The Lord answers, “Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” He was given only the next step. The fuller instructions came only after he obeyed.

That has certainly been my experience. There have been many times when the Lord has told me to go somewhere or do something, without revealing the whole plan. Only after I had obeyed did He make the next step clear.

Looking back over my life, I can see how the Lord has ordered my steps. He has given me specific instructions and sent me to particular places. The evidence lies in what followed. My first overland journey to Jerusalem opened my eyes to the suffering of the underground Church behind the Iron Curtain. From that point onwards, at every stage of my life, I was acting under the Lord's direction. Time and again, God did exactly what He had promised.

I remember preaching in a city in Russia where the pastor told me that my visit was the answer to prayers that had been offered many years before. Believers who had been imprisoned, tortured, and even put to death in the labour camps had prayed that one day someone would come and share the Gospel with their persecutors. After the collapse of communism, I arrived there, unaware that I was walking into the fulfilment of prayers prayed by faithful Christians who had long since gone to be with the Lord.

Obedience in Faith: How God Guides Step-by-Step

1. The Biblical Pattern of Step-by-Step Guidance

In Acts 9, when Jesus encounters Saul (who became the Apostle Paul) on the road to Damascus, God provides a model for divine direction. When Saul asks, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" the Lord replies:

"Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:6)

God gave Saul only the immediate next step. Fuller instructions were revealed only after Saul obeyed.

2. Following Divine Direction: A Personal Testimony

This biblical principle mirrors real-world walking with God. God frequently provides initial directions without revealing the entire master plan. The next phase of divine purpose is unlocked only after taking the first step of faith.

First Overland Journey to Jerusalem: Taking this initial step revealed the plight and suffering of the underground Church behind the Iron Curtain.
Ongoing Ministry: Each subsequent phase of ministry was launched by obeying direct, specific instructions rather than relying on complete foresight.
Fulfillment of Promises: Looking back, God’s faithful guidance is validated by the consistent fulfillment of His promises over a lifetime.

3. A Miraculous Example: Answered Prayers in Russia

A powerful illustration of God ordering steps occurred while preaching in Russia following the collapse of communism:

The Historical Context: Decades prior, Christian believers in Soviet labour camps suffered imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom.
The Specific Prayer: These persecuted Christians prayed that God would one day send someone to share the Gospel directly with their persecutors.
The Divine Appointment: Decades later, stepping out in obedience led to preaching in that exact Russian city – unknowingly serving as the direct answer to prayers prayed by faithful believers long after they had passed away.