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A matter must be
established by the testimony of two or three
witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Outside Scalloway Harbour in Shetland, three harbour
lights (white, green and red) guide sailors along
the navigation channel between the cluster of jagged
rocks and islands. Only when all three of these
lights line up and appear as one white light is it
safe to enter the harbour.
Bob Mumford counsels that when God is about to lead
us along some major new path, He will normally
confirm His word to us in several different ways. He
suggests that we should look for at least two or
three other strands of guidance apart from a direct
word dream or vision before accepting that some
direction really does represent the authentic
leading of the Still Small Voice: for example, the
witness of Scripture, the peace of Christ in our
hearts, the confirmation of other mature Christians,
as well as the specific opening or shutting of
doors.
Nearly three and a half years after we moved to
Shetland, three people came to us separately to tell
us that the moment we had completed our assignment
the prayer conference for the northern nations the
Lord would recall us rapidly down south again.
The call had come earlier than we had expected, and
the transition was a fraught one. Several seemingly
promising leads failed to develop altogether.
Because Ros was under intense pressure at work, the
enemy did all he could to keep the uncertainties as
high as possible. Friends kept praying. One saw us
in a hot air balloon, heading south and landing in a
remote rural region.
The picture strengthened us through several painful
and perplexing months. Suddenly, it all happened. A
job opened up and we rather miraculously found a
house to live in. Less than three weeks after the
Conference had finished, we were on the boat and
heading south to start a new life in much warmer
climes.
For Reflection and Prayer
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Most of
the mistakes I have made in matters of guidance have
come as the result of allowing myself to be
convinced too easily by one or two strands of
guidance, instead of waiting for the Lord to confirm
both the details and the timing. Even when some
initial piece of guidance seems overwhelmingly
strong, we should be wary of acting on one strand
alone especially if it involves major changes.
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