It should be recognized that God does use a variety of methods to manifest His will. In Acts 11 the story is told how Peter came to know the will of God concerning treatment of the Gentiles. Peter recorded his methodology for finding divine guidance in a variety of ways:
Divine guidance comes through prayer. Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:
Divine guidance comes through meditation. Acts 11:6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Divine guidance comes through the word of God. Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
Divine guidance comes through providential circumstances. Acts 11:11-14 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had se! en an a ngel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Divine guidance comes through Scripture memorization. Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Divine guidance comes through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
Divine guidance comes through the testimony of others. Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
Divine guidance comes through visual confirmation. Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
God the Father is as anxious to make His will known as believers are to know His will and to follow it. However, once known, the will of the Lord must be obeyed lest the Holy Spirit be grieved, hardened and quenched.
