Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Finding the Will of God -- Not as Hard as You Think

Is the will of God that difficult to find, let alone discern?

In one sense, yes:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.


"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8-9)

Do not despair, though, for the prophet Isaiah uttered this profound pronouncements before the Crucifixion.

This is the promise for believers:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 3

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

Breathtaking for its sweeping promises of redemption of supply, Christ's death on the Cross provides everything for us. God wills for us to be fully supplied, fully cared for!

Regarding the specific nature of these plans:

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3: 20-21)

No matter what we may come up with, God has prepared far greater for us. There is little value in our puzzling over what God wants to do through us.

Instead, Jesus gave the command worthy of those who want to do the works of God:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6:29)

and

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

In our walk with the Lord, it is no longer matter of getting, but accepting; not of achieving, but receiving.

And we do not need to worry about missing His signs or stepping outside of His will to begin with:

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

The good works that God wants us to do are already within us! We just have to walk in them by faith (cf 2 Corinthians 5:7)

The same Holy Spirit by whom we have faith and power to do God's will also directs us:

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13)

In Galatians, Paul provides further assurance of the Holy Spirit's power over us to keep us:

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)

Let the Spirit do the leading in your life, and you will find yourself doing everything that God wants you to do, but without your chronic analysis and awareness.

Of course there are some things that you will be doing all along the way:

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

As for more positive direction, Paul provides the following:

"Rejoice evermore.

"Pray without ceasing.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you ." (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

But what about today and tomorrow, what about our needs? Remember, we are talking about God the Father, who has provided us eternal redemption and righteousness through the death, resurrection, and intercession of His Son Jesus Christ, and the direction of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him to lead you, and you can never fail.

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