10/04/2019
God’s will for our lives doesn’t just work for us, it works with us, or in other words, includes us. We are not the boss, nor are we just spectators in God’s plan, but active participants. Sometimes we forget to ask what His will is, and blindly get busy trying to do His spiritual work as we see fit; we begin our efforts only to find that we are working against Him, and that He is now having to perform His work in spite of us.
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:1-2
We read that Jesus performed His miracles using God’s strength and power, but I once knew a pastoral couple who were so busy trying to direct, and claim credit for God’s will in their lives, and the church, that they had become the single greatest obstruction to His plan. Have you ever experienced a situation like that, or even looked in the mirror to find that the roadblock was you?
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
1 John 2:16-29 (ESV)
The will, and plan always belongs to God, and our part in it is to listen, and obey those things that He instructs us to do. Isn’t that what Jesus did?
“So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”
John 7:16-18 (ESV)
And yes, Jesus wants us in the boat with Him when He goes fishing. He wants us casting the nets, and pulling in the fish, but when it comes to determining where we should drop our nets…. He will tell us precisely where to do that. If we listen to Him then our nets will be brimming with fish, but if we don’t hear His voice then it will be a long day on the water with only a sunburn to show for it. If we think we can out fish God then we will be sadly mistaken.
“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.””
Luke 5:4 ESV
Every so often I take a really close look at what I think God’s will is for me, and in fervent prayer I ask Him to confirm it with me. Most times I have been pretty attentive To Him, and am on target, but there have been those times when I found that the wind of the world has blown me off course, or He has redirected me, and I missed His voice.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
So the question becomes this... Are we working with, for, or against God’s will? Have we placed His desire ahead of our own? Do we stand shoulder to shoulder with Him and follow His lead? Or, are we trying to out think Him, and in the process, become an impediment to His will and plan? These are very important spiritual questions, and will determine our eternal future. How can we pray if we don’t know God’s will, and what will our next step be if we don’t hear His voice? Jesus remained constantly within the Father’s will... how about us?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your perfect will, and for revealing it to us. Thank you for the example that Jesus set for us as He remained always in obedience to your will. Give us sharp hearing so that we can hear your voice speaking the plan and will you have for our lives. Make us obedient so that upon hearing we will obey you, and never let our pride, or our will supersede yours. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose will for us is perfect, and whose plan brings joy into our lives. Great are you who knows the beginning from the end, and directs us in His purposes. Praised be your name as you work beside us in each willful endeavor you place before us. All glory is yours Heavenly Father, and it flows without ceasing from the grace you provide through Jesus. We worship you, and kneel before your throne always... help us in our obedience.
Rich Forbes