His Will

Judges 6:39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

Do you seek God’s will? I think that is a fair question. If you love God, you will want to please God. If you want to please God you would want to do His will. How do you know the will of God? Do you use Gideon’s method of proving God’s will? Do you set a test in your heart and mind to say that if you see a sign, then you know God’s will? Surely that cannot be a bad method because the apostles cast lots to choose Judas’ successor!

Acts 1:24-26 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

If it was good enough for the apostles, why isn’t it good enough for us? Then if that be true, tell me how these eleven decided that a twelfth apostle had to be chosen? If Jesus called those twelve, what told them they knew the Lord’s will for just one more apostle, and how to know His will in this matter?

It seems that much of our seeking God’s will in this life follows this same course of action. We decide something needs to happen, and then set about to determine God’s will in a matter we set in motion. Is that seeking God’s will or satisfying our own conscience?

Related

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Even as others is the interesting phrase here. It alludes to the fact that we have an understanding of how sin infects life. You can relate to others who are still caught in sin, because you have been there. You also know the way out. You also know the signs of fatigue that burdens a soul.

We had those conversations in our past. We know the language. We know what to listen for as a sign of willingness to hear the gospel, what words work and what words fail to reach a haunted soul. You have been there.

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

One of the things that didn’t work for me when I was caught up in sin was a self-righteous attitude. Here in Philippians hints at vanity as being a roadblock to effective witnessing. Tell a drug addict; “I did it and so can you.” The result will be; “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tell a drug addict; “I was powerless to help myself.” The result will be; “I feel the same way.”

It is a confession of condition, you have opened the door. Now show them the Door.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Daily Christian Devotionals