Finding the Will of God

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Someone once said: “The will of God is like a Hebrew word. It can only be read backwards.” What he meant was that God’s will for our lives becomes more clear as we look back at His sovereign hand. However, we most often want or need to discover His will now. God understands our predicament. He does not want us to make misguided decisions that leave distasteful consequences. How can we knows the will of God in such instances?

Our hearts must be bent toward God. That means we want God’s will above our own, that we are fellowshipping with Him consistently and our love and devotion are directed toward Him. We may occasionally slip and stumble; but when we do, we confess, repent, and move on with God.

In addition, we must be busy doing what we already know to be God’s will - giving thanks in all things and walking obediently. The heart that is bent toward God and that delights in His ways will find that the will of the Lord will be accomplished even when we are unsure of His way. Once on the other side, we can look back and thank God for His loving guidance and wisdom that providentially ordered our steps into His kind and profitable plan.

“...walk as children of Light...trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10