to do so would be
to attempt the impossible, and we would waste much time in trying to speak
to people where we could do no good that might be used in speaking to
people where we could accomplish something. There are some to whom it
would be wise for us to speak. There are others to whom it would be unwise
for us to speak. Time spent on them would be taken from work that would be
more to God's glory. Doubtless as Philip journeyed towards Gaza, he met
many before he met the one of whom the Spirit said, "Go near, and join
thyself to this chariot." The Spirit is as ready to guide us as He was to
guide Philip. Some years ago, a Christian worker in Toronto had the
impression that he should go to the hospital and speak to some one there.
He thought to himself, "Whom do I know at the hospital at this time?"
There came to his mind one whom he knew was at the hospital, and he
hurried to the hospital, but as he sat down by his side to talk with him,
he realized it was not for this man that he was sent. He got up to lift a
window. What did it all mean? There was another man lying across the
passage from the man he knew and the thought came to him that this might
be the man to whom he should speak. And he turned and spoke to this man
and had the privilege of leading him to Christ. There was apparently
nothing serious in the man's case. He had suffered some injury to his knee
and there was no thought of a serious issue, but that man passed into
eternity that night. Many instances of a similar character could be
recorded and prove from experience that the Holy Spirit is as ready to
guide those who seek His guidance to-day as He was to guide the early
disciples. But He is ready to guide us, not only in our more definite
forms of Christian work but in all the affairs of life, business, study,
everything we have to do. There is no promise in the Bible more plainly
explicit than James i. 5-7, R. V., "But if any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that
doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." This
passage not only promises God's wisdom but tells us specifically just what
to do to obtain it. There are really five steps stated or implied in the
passage:

1. That we "lack wisdom." We must be conscious of and fully a