The Secret of Guidance

by F.B. Meyer

F. B. Meyer writes, “The grace of purity and self-control, of fervent prayer and understanding in the Scriptures, of love for men and zeal for God, of lowliness and meekness, of gentleness and goodness—all is in Christ; and if Christ is in us, all is ours also.”F.B. Meyer was a contemporary and friend of D.L. Moody who was also a pioneer in the field of inner-city missions work. Drawing constantly on Scripture in this book, Meyer exhorts us to seek after God’s best for our lives by examining our inner motives, understanding Christ’s role in our present-day, and then examining how we ought to then bear up underneath the secret of God’s guidance.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Spirituality, Faith, Christian Living, Classics, Nonfiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

Reviews

[Mary Welchans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuck Swindoll wrote that this book influenced his walk with God, so I wanted to read it. I absolutely loved it. F.B Meyer helps the reader see how they can deepen their walk with God in a practical manner.

I did think chapter 5 was a little random, “Why sign the pledge?” , it was Meyer writes why one should give up alcohol but o wish he would have used more scripture to back it up.

I would highly recommend this book to someone who has been walking with God for awhile but wants to be spurred on.

[David Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing one will notice about this book, which was written in 1896, is the older English use of many words. Unless is familiar with this style, it will make for somewhat slower, if not difficult, reading. However, I found that the slower I read, letting the words pour slowly into my brain, the more richness, and understanding I received from the text. Indeed, Meyer had an uncanny ability to use metaphorical language to present his lessons in majestic splendor. Let me share a couple of examples:

When speaking of his nearness to God, Meyer says:

"Often amid the assault of temptation or the fury of the storm that sweeps over the surface of my nature, I cannot detect His form or hear Him say, “It is I.” But I dare to believe He is there; `not without me, but within; not as a transient sojourner for a night, but as a perpetual inmate; not altered by my changes from earnestness to lethargy, from the summer of love to the winter of despondency, but always and unchangeably the same."

And, again, regarding the inner Christian life: "Christ is in the believer. He indwells the heart by faith, as the sun indwells the lowliest flowers that unfurl their petals and bare their hearts to its beams."

This very brief book is full of such nuggets for Christian living. I read the ebook version and I can say that the accuracy of the conversion from the written page to the electronic book left much to be desired. In any case, this book, which is now in the public domain, should be a sure pick for Christians who want to live a spirit-filled life.

[Mihay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Put the sun in its central throne, and all the motions of the planets assume a beautiful order. Put Jesus on the throne of life and all things fall into harmony and peace"

"Sorrow is a garden, the trees of which are laden with the peaceable fruits of righteousness; do not leave it without bringing them with you. Sorrow is a mine, the walls of which glisten with precious stones; be sure and do not retrace your steps into daylight without some specimens. Sorrow is a school. You are sent to sit on its hard benches and learn from its black-lettered pages lessons which will make you wise forever; do not trifle away your chance of graduating there."

"Thou art near, O Lord!" (Psalm cxix: 151.) If only such an experience of the nearness of God were always ours, enwrapping us as air or light; if only we could feel, as the great Apostle put it on Mars' Hill, that God is not far away, but the element in which we have our being, as sea-flowers in deep, still lagoons ."

[TA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is a bit misleading. It discusses guidance, but the book addresses the Christian life in general: from prayer, faith, grief, work/rest, the role of our emotions, temperance (product of its time!) and more. There's lots of Scripture woven throughout. The language is illustrative, and I enjoyed the vivid examples and analogies used. I was pleasantly surprised by some simple, albeit practical, advice.

I didn't find this book trite which is a fine line to tread for many devotionals. It also doesn't fall into trope of guilting the reader or calling for more "self-help" with a dash of God thrown in. There is a call to higher living by the author, but the path to that reality is always centered firmly in Christ rather than the self.

[Paul Baker]

2025-09-12

Review 2025.08.009

Reviewers Note: It is the middle of 2025 and I am not doing a good job of keeping up with this desired goal of mine to write book reviews. I do not want to lower my expectations but I am going to so that I can catch up. This will mean short reviews on the books I read.

The Secret of Guidance by F.B. Meyer
132 Pages

I picked this book up because Dallas Willard referenced it a lot in “Hearing God”. It was quick and easy to read. I enjoyed it but nothing earth shattering for me.

[Mark McElreath · Rating 4 out of 5]

F.B. Meyer always soul nourishment and The Secret of Guidance is no exception. Chapter 4 "Faith, Fact, Feeling" is especially helpful in our emotionally driven world. He urges the Christian to begin with what we know to be true (Fact) about Christ and His Word and then build our understanding (Fact) upon that. We then should expect our emotions (Feeling) to fall into line. He also gives a helpful section on bearing sorrow. These pages would be of help to any Christian dealing with difficulty.

[Andrew Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A goldmine of truth and wisdom for cultivating a deeper, richer, and flourishing life with the Lord!

I love how Meyer expresses scriptural truth and wisdom with word-pictures that touch the soul and challenge us to grow deeper in our relationship with the Lord. There's so much to process through repeat and attentive reading of biblical truths! It is worth every minute of chewing and savouring each bite!!

[Cheyenne Goff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid Puritanical insights for the earnest Christian

What one would expect in terms of legalistic leanings of an early 20th century Baptist minister ("Why Take The Pledge?"). Nonetheless, helpful in it's conviction to help seekers obtain the benefits of a classical, scripture rooted approach to following the way of Christ.

[Will Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You will live to recognize the wisdom of God’s choice for you.
You will one day see that the thing you wanted was only the second best.
You will be surprised to remember that you once nearly broke your heart and spilled the wine of your life for what would never have satisfied you if you had caught it.”

[Ken Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

F.B. Meyer is one of my favorite authors. Learn the secret of guidance, Be thankful for this Godly man who has ministered to so many souls. May 2020 be a year of wisdom and love be multiplied in us and our families.

[Matthew Hon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find God’s Will For Your Life

This is an excellent book on how to find God’s will. Very practical steps. Full of scripture. If you are interested in learning what God’s wants you to do or how to find out what He wants this is a great book.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my wife at the end of the day over a period of time. Inspirational!

[Ste Fy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Katie Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relatively quick read, and so impactful. I think this will be one I come back to again and again.

[Spencer Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only the first chapter focuses on guidance, but whole book is great - read it all

[Jamie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal !

Most certainly a life changer. This book is a
must read for anyone adamant about growing their relationship with the Lord

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of numerous topics which each appears to be a separate sermon. The Secret of Guidance is the title of the first chapter. The category that this book appears on the back cover of the book is listed under Better Christian Life. Meyer uses plenty of Scripture, but not all the Scripture is identified as far as chapter or verse. There is no Scripture index or general index to help you locate verses or topics being discussed. However, there is much wisdom in the book, you just have to read it to find the wisdom.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the first page I found wisdom worth building my life upon. I cannot say that concerning most books I've read. A very practical book from a Christian growth prospective. Good advice from a seasoned saint. Listen: "How much of our Christian work has been abortive because we have persisted in initiating it for ourselves instead of ascertaining what God was doing and where He required our presence." and "So much of our power and peace consist in knowing where God would have us be and in just being there."

[Tami Boesiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past the old world language, this book is full of practical helps for Christian living. I was amazed at how applicable its principles were since it was written in 1896. I guess it is proof that God does not change.

[Kevin Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful Book

Great little book and easy to read. FB Meyer does a great job of explaining, illustrating and challenging on the matter of guidance from the Holy Spirit. It’s worth your time to read the book!

[Sean Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meyer Mission #2

Brilliant book with some sound classic Christian principles, and applications, a much needed book to read and follow.
This came up in the omnibus of 25 books that I got on Kindle so I just read it again, it is a pretty quick and helpful read so worth doing again.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every Christian. It is a book written simply but whose message is so profound and encouraging.