The report I received on the Adelaide 'Psychic Fair' that I wrote about last week was that it was an 'interesting event'. The Church that had a stand offering prayer for healing and spiritual help saw a number of people healed, and also a number who committed their lives to Christ.

A point of particular note, however, was the degree of interest that people showed in seeking to know something of the future. As well as numerous stalls dealing with various aspects of astrology, there were several offering 'Tarot' readings, for which people were willing to pay $30 each. One of the most popular stalls was one operated by another church group that offered "Personal Prophecy". This was free, and people were queued up to such an extent that they could not cope with all the bookings.

From the earliest days of human history there has been a continuing search for knowledge of the future. The ancients followed al kinds of practices, from studying the movements of the planets to investigating the patterns on a sjheep's liver. In more recent times, scientific technology has sought to predict patterns and trends to enable governments, businesses and individuals to prepare for what the future will bring. However, as September 11 dramatically reminded us, the best laid schemes of the greatest nation on earth can suddenly be torn apart by the totally unexpected.

While life is moving along at a normal pace we can, to a reasonable extent, predict what things will be like in the next few years. Most businesses operate on that principle. Decisions to expand, invest in new plans, etc., are made on the basis of predictions of what the situation will be like in 10-20 years. When a threat of war on terrorism arises, those plans are put on hold. Families, also, make decisions about housing, education, employment, etc. on the expectation of how the future appears. That is why, if we can get some insight into the future, we feel much more comfortable about the decisions we have to make today.

However, the crucial issue is discovering the basic principles that determine what the future will be. Is it the movement of the planets? Is it some mysterious force that can be discovered through sheeps' livers or Tarot cards? Is it pur chance, that is ultimately unfathomable? Or is there some other guiding hand upon our destiny?

The Bible, of course, teaches us emphatically that the world does not operate by 'chance' or 'luck'! It is under the sovereign hand of Almighty God. It is He who controls the earthquakes, storms and other natural phenomena, as well as the movements of nations in the march of history. As a Negro spiritual so aptly put it: "He's got the whole world in His hands".

Any knowledge of the future that might, therefore, be available to us, will not be found in astrology, divination, Tarot cards or any other form of witchcraft. Such activities are specifically forbidden by God. Rather, what God wants us to know about the future, and the decisions we are to make in the present, will be found in what He has already revealed in His Word (the Bible) and in what He reveals through His Spirit. God has always had his prophets, inspired by His Spirit, to communicate His purposes to mankind. But one of His promises for the present time is that, through the outpouring of His Spirit, prophecy will become a normal function of His people.

We who are the people of God should expect to be beguiled by Him as we seek to live for him. That is promised to us in many parts of the Bible. The Bible tells us that God has a plan for our life that was mapped out before the beginning of the world. To the degree that we co-operate with that plan, and follow His will, our lives will be fruitful and meaningful. But, if we exercise our free will to rebel against Him, then whatever we do will be wasted. Even so, if we repent and turn back to Him, He is able to weave our failure into the perfect tapestry of His soverign purpose.

The sad thing is that so many who profess to be Christians do not act through God is in control of their lives. Even though we pray "Your will be done", we spend little time, if any, in seeking to discover what that will is.

At the Alpha Course last week we were reminded that there are 5 main ways that we can discover God's will for our lives:

1. Commanding Scripture - those parts of the Bible that give us clear directions for life.

2. Compelling Spirit - the inner voice of God, prophetic words, etc.

3. Common Sense - the application of God-given reason.

4. Counsel of Saints - the advice of other members of God's family.

5. Circumstantial Signs - God's overruling in our circumstances.

We do not need to wander blindly, or chase down occult paths. We have a loving Heavenly Father who seeks to lead us into the future, if we will go with Him.

John Davies
9 June 2002