His Will

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Many are content to pray those words . . . right up until the will of God clashes with their will.

 His will, His Kingdom, His name. Jesus’ life showed us that the Christian faith is not a list of do’s and don’ts—that is legalism.

Jesus’ life showed us that the very essence of the Christian faith is a Person—a Person who has been robed in splendor and majesty from before the foundation of the earth, and yet hung on a cross to die and give His life so that He may save those who believe in Him. This is why the true Christian faith is colliding more and more with a world system that is based upon self-centered needs.

God knows that if our needs become central in our lives, His glory, honor, majesty, and name will not. The only true fulfillment, the only joy in life, is to know that we are bending our wills to His, living in submission to His authority in our lives.

Jesus’ words, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” tell us that, as we walk in obedience to the Word of God in our lives, we are bringing heaven to earth. When we are enjoying doing God’s will—not just enduring it—we are experiencing a taste of eternity.

To know the will of God, we must start with Scripture. In order to obey God’s Word, we must pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance throughout every part of our day. Seeking godly counsel and requesting prayer from trusted friends opens us up to hearing God through someone else and can help us to discern God’s will for our lives.

As we pray and seek God’s will, we must wait patiently and expectantly for the opening or closing of opportunities. Open your eyes and examine the workings of God regarding what things He is closing off to you and what things He is opening to you.

Often, when we seek the Lord’s will, it may seem that God is silent—but His delay is not denial. During the wait, God is working out His purposes in our lives, shaping us into the likeness of Jesus. Just as a potter shapes the clay, God shapes each of us to be more like Him.

God may have delayed some answers to prayers that He laid on your heart—but do not give up. His delay is not His denial. At the eleventh hour, when it seemed that all hope was lost for the disciples, Christ returned from the grave. It seemed almost too late, but He came. He always comes.