God’s will is sovereign, that is, it excels all others. He created the earth and the sky and everything that is in it. Then He gave Adam and Eve authority over all His creation. Unfortunately, they failed to comply and lost favour with Him. Human beings have ever since been striving to do His will – without much success though.
The root cause is that humans have always sought to do their own will to the extent that they want to impose it over that of God, the Almighty. God’s will is not negotiable, because He is a righteous God. And so He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, in whom He is ‘well-pleased’ in order to show us what His will entails. He declared His purpose in these terms: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish the work.” John 4:34.
While God’s will may prove difficult to the disobedient, it only requires a dash of faith and dedication to accomplish. Paul, the apostle admits its complex nature. “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.” Romans 7:18-19. It is understandable therefore when the psalmist makes this appeal: “Teach me to do your will.” Psalm 143:10. Doing God’s will with all sincerity is what would enable us draw nearer to Him.
Yet another year has drifted past. As the hands of the clock ticked ushering a new year we no doubt have heaped resolution upon resolution. What has become of those of last year? Probably they were dumped halfway through the course of the year. Where do we stand then with doing God’s will? We often pray “… your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10. Will we continue to seek God’s face so as to do His will?
Dedicated and completely sold–out for Jesus, Paul, the apostle, stated in no uncertain terms to his audience: “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” Acts 20:27.
Our Lord Jesus declared: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50 Doing God’s will entitles one to family membership with Christ.
It is important that we understand what the will of God is for our lives, otherwise our sojourn on earth would be meaningless; and we shall be living lives that are not worthy of our calling as believers; running our own agenda without God leading the way. When we carry ourselves this way, we shall be heading for certain doom. “Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is,” Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:17.
Our God has set plans for each and every one of His creation. Paul, the apostle, confirms this in these words: “… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13. God wants us to fulfil His will so that we may accomplish our purpose on earth. It is a choice we would have to make.
Some have deliberately turned their backs on Him and have decided to go it their own way. “… for they have rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.” Psalm 107:11 Their reward awaits them; God has the final say. “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my spirit, heaping sin upon sin.” Isaiah 30:1. This category of people would not consider saying: “If it’s the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that ...” James 4:15. They believe in themselves and their powers and have opted for another ‘programme of work’ that is sure to boomerang in their faces.
If there was anybody who knew God’s will among the Old Testament greats, it was David. God was so pleased with him, He referred to him as: “the man after His heart.” 1 Samuel 13:14. He listened and danced to God’s heartbeat, therefore he was able to do His will. Simply put God’s will is that we obey Him. He has spoken to us through His Word, the Bible and through His Son, Jesus Christ.
When we are not operating in the Father’s will, it is obvious that we have been lured into Satan’s camp. We cannot serve two masters, with one foot in each camp. The prophet Elijah was disturbed with those who were sitting on the fence, unable to decide in whose camp they belonged. “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21. He was categorical about this. It was similarly upsetting for Joshua who took offence at the indecisiveness of the Children of Israel who were still doing things the old way, neglecting the Father’s will. “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….” Joshua admonished in Joshua 24:15.
It cannot be business as usual. God has called us to a life of holiness and it behoves each believer to make a U-turn and start all over again. He said: “Be holy because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44. To father Abraham He instructed: “Walk before me and be perfect.” Genesis 17:1. God has set us apart to perform His bidding and we are unique in His eyes. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3
God cannot mislead us; far be it. His concern is for our well-being in the here-after which we must prepare for now. Tomorrow will be too late. It is our desire that God, the Father “…will equip you with everything good for doing His will and may His will work in us what is pleasing to Him.” Hebrew 13.21
Abraham was childless, but God gave him a son he named Isaac when he was a 100 years old. Then during his teens, God required Abraham to sacrifice him. “Abraham, take your son, your only son, Isaac, the one you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about”. Genesis 22:2. “Early the next day, Abraham got up and saddled his donkey…” He was on his way to accomplish God’s will. Would you/I have been that obedient?
