God wants us to know what His will is in every situation in our lives, both small and great. He does have a plan for our lives and wants us to discover it.

Steps to lead us to find God's will in our lives:

1. We must be willing to do God's will (Read about Balaam in Numbers 22-23). We need to have willing minds and willing hearts and to pray, “Thy will be done,” (versus if it is Your will). He will show us what His will is for our lives;

2. God's will is in harmony with His Word. He will never ask us to violate His will which is stated in His Word (Matt. 4:1-10);

3. Circumstances may indicate the will of God, as in Paul's case in Acts 16:7-13;

4. Prayer is an avenue in finding God's will (I Thess. 5:17, Matt. 21:2, Phil. 4:6) as we submit to God and use common sense as we examine His Word; and

5. Peace of mind accompanies the doing of God's will. Read Phil. 4:6-7 to understand how the peace of God shall keep your heart and mind.

In seeking God's will, ask the following questions:

∞ Can it be done to bring more honor to Jesus, or will it go against the call of Christ? Read John 5:19-24.

∞ Can we do it as an honor and not a reproach to Christ? As in I Peter 2:13-20, can we be sure that with what we do, we do not besmirch the name and glory of Christ?

∞ Can we do it thankfully as unto the Lord (even if it goes against our natures)? Read I Thess. 5:18.

∞ Can we do it heartily as unto the Lord (Ecc. 9:10)? Deliberate to do God's will with gusto. Consider, “Is what I am about to do in accord with God's Word, not violating it in any way?”

Why do we not know what God's will is?

1. Perhaps we haven't completely surrendered our wills to God in order for them to be conformed to His likeness. Read these Scriptures: Psalms 86:11 & 51:12; Luke 6:46-49; John 12:24-26; and Romans 6:1-11;

2. Our motives may not be pure (Psalm 119:1-5);

3. We often don't know how to wait on God's timing (Ecc. 3:1-8, 17);

4. When we pray, we don't expect him to answer (Job 22:30, James 1:6-7);

5. Search our hearts and discover if there is sin in our lives of which we have not repented. We must have clean hands and clear, clean motives (Job 17:9, Psalm  24:3-4, Col. 3:5-10);

6. Perhaps we are seeking God's will some place other than in His fellowship or in His Word—which is the determining factor in clearly discerning the will of God. Read these Scriptures: Isaiah 30:21, 55:9-11; Phil. 2:13; I John 5:14-15; and

7. When we are doing what God wants, it will cost us something. This can be confusing because we're not always willing to suffer for Christ, laying down our own desires and wishes—our own will for Him (Psalm 49:8-9, I Chron. 28:9, Micah 6:8).

Doing God's will does cost us something, but it will be worth it. He will mold us into the people He wants us to be. There can be nothing less than joy on that path. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28). He has saved us to serve Him—to be His people, reflecting to the world the likeness of Christ. We can only do that as we seek His will for us moment by moment . . . and purpose to walk it out in our lives day by day. (Deut. 5:32-33, 10:12; Psalm 86:11; Rom. 8:28-29; 12:1-2; II Cor. 4:8-10) 

  
Copyright 2001, El Rophe Center, Inc.