God's Living Will

Art by Cathy Martin

By Elvira Bujanda

God created in us a desire to have dreams and goals so that we may be happy and enjoy life, yet God knows we are incapable of knowing the future. Since only God knows our future, it’s important that we find God’s will in order to have success in life. Proverbs 27:1 says: “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Most of us know what we like and want in life, but we are often mistaken as to what we need, and what may be best for us. God’s will is best, but we may not recognize His will. Instead, we often focus on seeking God’s blessing on our own plans.

God’s purpose is to line up our goals with His will, and that brings greater blessing on our lives. He is more concerned than we are about us knowing His will. Jeremiah prayed: “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:32). When God heard Jeremiah’s humble prayer, He honored it by promising to lead Jeremiah in the way that he should take.

When life appears dark and difficult and we can’t see God’s plan for us, we need to step into His will. The psalmist said: “Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me. You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day” (Psalm 25:4-5). In knowing what God’s will is we discover His greatness, and we find out that He has a personal interest in us. We are not meaningless to God. We are His special creation, made unique in Christ to pursue a special purpose, He says in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

There is a divine plan that brings blessings, fullness and eternity into our daily lives. As Christians, we acknowledge God’s will as our direction. God commands us to know and obey His will. When Jonah disobeyed God’s will, God put brought him to a place where he would listen to and obey God willingly, as Ephesians 6:6 says: “As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” Seeking God with all our hearts brings glory to Him. So how can you know God’s will? First you must be a child of God.

When we seek His forgiveness we receive salvation from our sins. God’s greatest desire for our lives is that we have a relationship with His Son Jesus. II Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” So until we are converted (born again), we have no part in seeing God’s divine plan and purpose. For God to really lead you, you must surrender and commit your life to Him, as He tells us in Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual act of worship, and do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – the good, pleasing and perfect will.”

When we give God our body, mind and will, He will never lead us to do anything contrary to His written Word, but He will lead us into His will and calling: “Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace” (II Timothy 1:9). When you present your body as a living sacrifice – placing yourself on God’s altar, giving Him your full cooperation – then you are able to be in His will. When you find agreement with God’s will and purpose, no one can prevent you from becoming the man or woman of God that He intended – not even Satan – only you.

It is foolish to decide to live life the way you want, turning your back on God’s perfect plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” We must communicate with God in prayer, it tells us in I John 5:14-15: “And this is the confidence that we have in Him; that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” Your prayers touch the heart of God, and this helps you to know who God is and to determine His will for your life. As we seek God daily in prayer, devotion and the study of His word, we will be tested in our devotion as He allows us to experience times of disappointment.

As we sincerely yearn to experience all that He has for us and respond properly to trials, God can bless and use us. So we must seek His will at all costs and prepare to pay the price. As a believer you live a life that is separated, set apart from the world in with a clean heart to be God’s servant, as it says in I Thessalonians 4:7: “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” Psalm 119:125-130 also says: “I am Your servant; give me discernment, that I may understand Your statutes; because I love your commands more than gold, more than fine gold, and because I consider all Your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of Your words give light; it gives understanding to the simple.” It is then that the Holy Spirit can lead us: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God” (Romans 8:14). We are compelled by the Holy Spirit to be used by God for His works and for His glory, and His voice will give you guidance in the circumstances of life (Proverbs 11:14).

When we seek God’s will, He helps us make right decisions, opening or closing doors to lead us in the right direction. He will shape our interests and desires to keep us from stumbling and falling into the pitfalls of the world. Stop seeking the goals and pleasures of the world and seek God’s plan for your life. Psalm 37:4 says: “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Ask the Lord to show you His will and purpose for your life and put Him in the first place in everything you do. As you put Him first, everything else falls in place. “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). When you are experiencing disappointments from the trials of this world, the Lord will comfort and fill you with a fresh sense of hope that brings that joy, peace and fulfillment which is yours in Christ.