THE FATHER’S WILL

“I desire to do Your will, O my God...........” (Psalm 40:8)

What do we understand by ‘the Father’s will’?  In the biblical sense, it means doing what God, the Father, asks us or wants us to do---His bidding. In sum, when we obey the Father’s instructions----all of which are meant for our good, then a relationship is nurtured. By so doing, we qualify for entry into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)

Whatever it is that God wants us to do is written in His Word---the Bible---handed down from generation to generation.  The Bible is the undiluted Word of God given to human beings as a guide. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) As His children, we are expected to obey Him; for everything He commands is for our benefit.

When God wanted someone to send on earth to show His creation how to live, Jesus, His Son, responded to the call. “Here I am---it is written about me in the scroll--I have come to do your will, O God.” (Hebrews 10:7) And when He walked this earth, that was exactly what He did. He would not let anything detract Him from accomplishing His Father’s will. He would not permit any side issues lure Him away from the fulfilment of His main purpose. 

At the age of twelve years we find Him in the temple discussing the Scriptures with doctors of the Law. And just when it dawned on His earthly parents that Jesus was not among the group of children on their return journey from Jerusalem and presumed Him lost, that they finally found Him absorbed in the exchanges of asking and answering questions. When they expressed their concern over His whereabouts He responded: “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

Jesus, our Role-Model, lived an exemplary life that should serve as a guide. Nothing mattered to Him more than accomplishing the task for which He was born into this earth. He put first things first. Accomplishing His Father’s business was His sole priority. He is asking us to behave the same way---putting the kingdom of God first. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) What things?---everything vital to our existence on this earth.

Jesus declared: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me” (John 6:38) The Pharisees and Sadducees were unhappy about the claims Jesus made of being the Son of the Father. He repeatedly asserted His sonship, but they rejected it. “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” (John 6:40)

Unlike Adam and Eve who disobeyed the Father and brought death into the world, our Lord Jesus had come to save the situation and to repair the damage done. In essence, human beings were meant to live forever, but sin, brought about by disobedience, annulled it. Only God’s Son could pay the price of sin, which is death. So God sent Jesus, (He will save His people from their sins) to remedy the situation.

The Word of God promises that manifold blessings ensue when we are obedient. It goes further to say: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22) Partial obedience is still disobedience. These words of the prophet Samuel were directed to King Saul who did as he pleased rather than carry out the instructions given to him to go and attack the enemy (the Amalekites) and totally destroy everything. (1 Samuel 15:3)

Our Lord Jesus once told a parable about two sons to His audience. Their father asked them to go and work in the field; one said ‘yes,’ but did not go; the other said ‘no’ but finally went. Who obeyed? The son who had the change of heart. By this parable, He was portraying that the Jews to whom the word of God was destined rejected it whilst the Gentiles accepted it. God makes no distinction between peoples, but recognises those who obey Him. Jesus calls them family. “For whoever does the will of the Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

As His earthly mission neared completion, Jesus experienced trying times in the flesh to the point where He asked the Father to let this cup pass away. If that could not be done however, He concluded “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)  God’s will should remain supreme in our lives if we desire to hear: “Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:21, 23)