Jan 24 Finding and Knowing

January 24

God’s Will?

Pr 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

“Would you be willing to help in Bible School”  is a question that is often answered  “Oh, ….let me pray about it”  When I received that answer from people I often would reply, “OK, do you want to pray or should I”   The truth is they did not want to tell you no.  They would prefer to tell you no next week after they had “prayed about it”.  Is that really what we mean about following God’s will?  What kind of questions do we really need to pray about anyway.  If you try to be hyper spiritual down at the local hamburger joint and pray “Oh God, do you want me to put mustard on my hamburger?” you will impress people, but not in the way you want. Their impression will be you are weird.

But seriously how do we know when God is leading us in some major decision?  Does He Lead? How does He lead? Can we know when God is leading and know what He wants us to do?  The answers to those last three questions is Yes, Yes, Yes.

One of the essential ways to determine God’s will is to read His Word, the Bible. Often God speaks to people through the scriptures, either as they read them or when a situation occurs that causes them to recall some verse they have read.  But God cannot speak to you through His Word if you don’t read it.  “Mom I don’t know what you want done.”   “Did you read the note I left you on the counter?”   “Uhhhh….well, not exactly”  

In addition to reading the Word we need to do what the Word says. 2 Tim 3:16 says the Word is useful for doctrine, for reproving us, for correcting us, and for giving us instructions in righteousness.  That does not mean we should try to compile a list of do this and don’t do that. Rather we should look for guiding principles.  Love one another is a great Biblical principle that makes hundreds of rules unnecessary.  Doing what the Bible teaches will help us to recognize His leading.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Circumstances may not be to your liking but may be what God is using to get your attention. There is a great object lesson and song that talks about some people who did not want to leave a nice sheltered area under a tree. But when a hornet’s nest fell out of that tree they were very willing to leave. If I recall correctly the song said “He doesn’t make you go against your will, He just makes you willing to go.”

A word of caution with circumstances.  Putting out a fleece is probably not wise in most situations. We should not tempt God. “OK God, if something happens I will know you want me to do such and such.”  That usually proves nothing. A great skeptic used to hold up his watch and tell his audience “If there is a God let him strike me dead in the next minute.” When nothing happened the skeptic would use that as proof that God does not exist. (Oh by the way, that great skeptic is dead now!)

Pr 12:15 ¶ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Listening to a counselor is good advice. Just be sure you listen to people who are going to give you unbiased, objective advice.  You probably don’t want to ask the local car dealer if he thinks you should buy a new car.  Listen to counselors who are spiritually mature. A good example of how not to do it is found in 1Kings 12:6-16

1Ki 12:8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him

Of course prayer is part of the process of determining what God’s will is for you.

Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, …. and it shall be given him.

Allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us is also an essential part of determining what God’s will is. 

If you have wrong motives in your heart then you can forget about God leading you.

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Finally the desire of your heart must be consistent with Godly principles.

Ps 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way

Today I have briefly touched on a subject that needs more explanation. But hopefully there is enough here to get you thinking about what you need to do if you want to understand what God wants you to do. Or in simple words,  what is God’s will for your life. God’s will is knowable.  He will reveal it to you, but you need to be sure your heart and mind are receptive.  The evidence of that is confirmed when you read God’s Word and seek His face.  May God bless you as you seek His will.