THE WILL OF GOD
Isa 48:17-18 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
"If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness
like the waves of the sea.
Jesus said both of the following statements.
"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, (John 4:34)
"It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
(Matt 4:4 quote from Deut 8:3)
God can use the counsel of others to direct us.
Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
God also directs us through circumstances.
For example the messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to Old Testament prophecy. (Micah 5:2) However the
reason why Joseph took his pregnant wife Mary to Bethlehem was because of a decree issued by Caesar Augustus that
required everyone to return to their own city for a census. (Lk. 2:1-8) Joseph did not go to Bethlehem to be in God's will and
fulfill prophecy. Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was required to for the census. Joseph was in the will of God without
knowing it.
I once drove from Oregon down to Yreka California to pick up my nephew. When I got there and knocked on the door nobody
answered. Since I had already drove that far I decided to drive a little farther to hike around at Castle Crag State Park and then
come back to see if my nephew was home yet. I started up a trail that crosses the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico
to Canada. As I was approaching that intersection I heard a little girl screaming and crying. I started running toward the sound
to see what was the matter. It turned out she was lost and terribly frightened. I spent some time talking with her and praying with
her concerning the where about of the adults were that she was supposed to be with. I then took her back down the trail to a
parking lot where she recognized the car she came in. So I left a note on the windshield telling them they could find her at the
ranger station. I then drove her to the ranger station and informed them that the adults could also possibly be lost out there.
Later when I drove back to Yreka I found out my nephew was there the whole time. He was asleep so he did not hear me knock
on the door. I am convinced that God had more in mind for me to do that day than to pick up my nephew or go hiking. The Lord
led me to help a lost little girl. He led me there through circumstances. Call it a coincident if you want to. I have found the more I
follow the Lord the more coincidences I have especially after prayer!
Following is some scripture that supports the idea that God directs our paths. Notices these passages do not imply his leading
only by his written word.
Ps 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled
headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths. (NKJ)
Prov 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
Prov 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
The next couple of verses are examples of how God closed doors to redirect Paul.
Acts 16:7 and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
Rom 1:13 And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you and have been prevented
thus far
Can one always know what God's will is in a particular situation?
As we can see in the following passages the apostle Paul, James and the writer of Hebrews did not always know what God's
will was in every situation.
Acts 18:21 but taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus.
1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their
power.
1 Cor 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
Heb 6:3 And this we shall do, if God permits.
James 4:12-17 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge
your neighbor? Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and
engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that
appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or
that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and
does not do it, to him it is sin.
If I follow the will of God will my life be easy?
The times that the will of God is most difficult to understand are in the midst of a hardship or tragedy. Often there does not
seem to be any answer that is comforting to the hurt deep down in our soul. Why does God allow some things to happen?
There is no answer to that question that I know of that will make all of the hurt instantly go away.
I can only tell you that we see a very narrow picture where God sees everything past, present and future. We are not alone in
this struggle of understanding many people in the bible also struggled with this.
Perhaps the deepest anguish or hurting feeling recorded in this area is what Jesus experienced from the cross. What Jesus
experienced when he cried out," My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt 27:46) is far beyond what we can
comprehend. We know that Jesus was made sin for us and in this process he was accursed of God. (2 Cor. 5:21 & Gal.3:13)
We also know that Jesus committed his spirit unto the Father moments after this (Lk. 23:46). Still the anguish that Jesus must
have experienced to feel rejected by the Father while being tortured is beyond our imagination. Yet even then Jesus was in the
will of the Father. Consider what Jesus prayed before he went to the cross.
Matt 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
As we can see in Jesus being in the will of God does not mean that our life will be easy. In fact they crucified Jesus.
All of the Apostles died martyrs for their faith with the exception of John who was exiled to the island of Patmos. The Apostle
Paul had many hardships during his missionary journeys as we can see in the following passage.
2 Cor 11:23-28 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments,
beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was
beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on
frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles,
dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and
hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external
things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.
In some cases we will be blessed because of our hardships.
Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for
the sake of the Son of Man. "Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same
way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces
endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
This last verse let us see a purpose in our trials. Notice that it stated, "When you encounter various trials". It did not say "IF" you
encounter trials, but "when".
What is the incentive for following God's will?
There are many incentives, which could be a study in itself, but here is a couple. Abundant life here and rewards in heaven.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.
1 Cor 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Heb. 10:30-36
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
33 partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those
who were so treated.
34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for
yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
Matt 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or
steal;
Prayer plays a part of the will of God.
Matt 7:7-11 "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his
son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to
those who ask Him!
John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will
be given to him
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective
prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
I Jn 5:14-15 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
You are not big enough to ruin God's will beyond repair. Learn from your mistakes and go on.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose.
The will of God is for us to turn to Jesus.
For those who do not know the Lord yet this is the place to start.
John 6:38-40
38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself
will raise him up on the last day."
Jesus was always within the will of the Father.
John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
John 5:30"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will,
but the will of Him who sent Me.
Conclusion. The bible does not give us a set pattern in which we can make all decisions. God can lead us in a variety of
different ways. This would include scripture, advice from godly and knowledgeable people and sometimes through
circumstances and less often through dreams etc.
The best way to be sure to be in the will of God is to seek him in everything. Pray and study his word and do your best to obey
and please him in all aspects of your life. God can and does direct us without our complete understanding of exactly what he
wants us to do for every situation. Our main part is obedience to that which we do know and seeking Him in everything.
I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
Isa 48:17-18 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
"If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness
like the waves of the sea.
Jesus said both of the following statements.
"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, (John 4:34)
"It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
(Matt 4:4 quote from Deut 8:3)
God can use the counsel of others to direct us.
Proverbs 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
God also directs us through circumstances.
For example the messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to Old Testament prophecy. (Micah 5:2) However the
reason why Joseph took his pregnant wife Mary to Bethlehem was because of a decree issued by Caesar Augustus that
required everyone to return to their own city for a census. (Lk. 2:1-8) Joseph did not go to Bethlehem to be in God's will and
fulfill prophecy. Joseph went to Bethlehem because he was required to for the census. Joseph was in the will of God without
knowing it.
I once drove from Oregon down to Yreka California to pick up my nephew. When I got there and knocked on the door nobody
answered. Since I had already drove that far I decided to drive a little farther to hike around at Castle Crag State Park and then
come back to see if my nephew was home yet. I started up a trail that crosses the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico
to Canada. As I was approaching that intersection I heard a little girl screaming and crying. I started running toward the sound
to see what was the matter. It turned out she was lost and terribly frightened. I spent some time talking with her and praying with
her concerning the where about of the adults were that she was supposed to be with. I then took her back down the trail to a
parking lot where she recognized the car she came in. So I left a note on the windshield telling them they could find her at the
ranger station. I then drove her to the ranger station and informed them that the adults could also possibly be lost out there.
Later when I drove back to Yreka I found out my nephew was there the whole time. He was asleep so he did not hear me knock
on the door. I am convinced that God had more in mind for me to do that day than to pick up my nephew or go hiking. The Lord
led me to help a lost little girl. He led me there through circumstances. Call it a coincident if you want to. I have found the more I
follow the Lord the more coincidences I have especially after prayer!
Following is some scripture that supports the idea that God directs our paths. Notices these passages do not imply his leading
only by his written word.
Ps 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled
headlong; because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths. (NKJ)
Prov 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
Prov 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
The next couple of verses are examples of how God closed doors to redirect Paul.
Acts 16:7 and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;
Rom 1:13 And I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you and have been prevented
thus far
Can one always know what God's will is in a particular situation?
As we can see in the following passages the apostle Paul, James and the writer of Hebrews did not always know what God's
will was in every situation.
Acts 18:21 but taking leave of them and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus.
1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their
power.
1 Cor 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
Heb 6:3 And this we shall do, if God permits.
James 4:12-17 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge
your neighbor? Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and
engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that
appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or
that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and
does not do it, to him it is sin.
If I follow the will of God will my life be easy?
The times that the will of God is most difficult to understand are in the midst of a hardship or tragedy. Often there does not
seem to be any answer that is comforting to the hurt deep down in our soul. Why does God allow some things to happen?
There is no answer to that question that I know of that will make all of the hurt instantly go away.
I can only tell you that we see a very narrow picture where God sees everything past, present and future. We are not alone in
this struggle of understanding many people in the bible also struggled with this.
Perhaps the deepest anguish or hurting feeling recorded in this area is what Jesus experienced from the cross. What Jesus
experienced when he cried out," My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matt 27:46) is far beyond what we can
comprehend. We know that Jesus was made sin for us and in this process he was accursed of God. (2 Cor. 5:21 & Gal.3:13)
We also know that Jesus committed his spirit unto the Father moments after this (Lk. 23:46). Still the anguish that Jesus must
have experienced to feel rejected by the Father while being tortured is beyond our imagination. Yet even then Jesus was in the
will of the Father. Consider what Jesus prayed before he went to the cross.
Matt 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
As we can see in Jesus being in the will of God does not mean that our life will be easy. In fact they crucified Jesus.
All of the Apostles died martyrs for their faith with the exception of John who was exiled to the island of Patmos. The Apostle
Paul had many hardships during his missionary journeys as we can see in the following passage.
2 Cor 11:23-28 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments,
beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was
beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on
frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles,
dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and
hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external
things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.
In some cases we will be blessed because of our hardships.
Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for
the sake of the Son of Man. "Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same
way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces
endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
This last verse let us see a purpose in our trials. Notice that it stated, "When you encounter various trials". It did not say "IF" you
encounter trials, but "when".
What is the incentive for following God's will?
There are many incentives, which could be a study in itself, but here is a couple. Abundant life here and rewards in heaven.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.
1 Cor 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
Heb. 10:30-36
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."
31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,
33 partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those
who were so treated.
34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for
yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.
35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
Matt 6:19-20 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and
steal. "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or
steal;
Prayer plays a part of the will of God.
Matt 7:7-11 "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who
asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his
son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to
those who ask Him!
John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will
be given to him
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective
prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
I Jn 5:14-15 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
You are not big enough to ruin God's will beyond repair. Learn from your mistakes and go on.
Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose.
The will of God is for us to turn to Jesus.
For those who do not know the Lord yet this is the place to start.
John 6:38-40
38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself
will raise him up on the last day."
Jesus was always within the will of the Father.
John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
John 5:30"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will,
but the will of Him who sent Me.
Conclusion. The bible does not give us a set pattern in which we can make all decisions. God can lead us in a variety of
different ways. This would include scripture, advice from godly and knowledgeable people and sometimes through
circumstances and less often through dreams etc.
The best way to be sure to be in the will of God is to seek him in everything. Pray and study his word and do your best to obey
and please him in all aspects of your life. God can and does direct us without our complete understanding of exactly what he
wants us to do for every situation. Our main part is obedience to that which we do know and seeking Him in everything.
I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
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