On page 117 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance." The teachings of Christian Science reveal clearly the fact that divine guidance may be sought and obtained under any circumstances, and earnest students of this Science endeavor to turn to God for this guidance in their daily lives, and are directed to the right solution of their problems proportionately to their faithfulness, understanding, and obedience. In the above quotation Mrs. Eddy lays stress on a very important point, which is sometimes overlooked when one seeks guidance and endeavors to act according to divine direction. She says, "Be sure"!
In the Bible we learn that David was offered the armor of Saul, but alert to the subtle temptation of evil coming in the guise of good and protection, he rejected it, saying. "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them." It was as though he had said, "I am not sure that it is God's will that I should approach this problem of overcoming evil in this way." Sometimes we are tempted to accept as divine guidance some plan the chief recommendation of which, when honestly analyzed, is that it coincides with our preconceived notions of how the problem should be worked out. Or, maybe, it seems the safer course to adopt. This false armor must be detected and rejected, if we wish to be sure of God's way.
That we have the right to demand definite and unmistakable proof that the direction we are taking is from God is shown clearly in the story of Gideon as it is related in the book of Judges. The story of the fleece of wool is an account of how Gideon made certain that it was God who was guiding him to take steps to save Israel. He had previously received proof of this divine guidance when the angel appeared to him under the oak. And though, as the story shows, he was obviously willing to be obedient to God's commands, he still had some doubts as to whether he had been chosen to deliver Israel from the Midianites. So he put the question to the test by means of the fleece of wool.
