What is God’s will for me?
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” - Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
How can we know God’s will? How can we know anyone’s will? I read the other day that if you can understand why pizza is round, sold in a square box and served in triangular shapes, then you can understand the opposite sex. There’s no shortage of this kind of joke, we struggle to understand others who are different from us.
What seldom gets the same attention is the amazing way that married couples get to know each other from years of shared experiences. The more we go through with those we love the better we get to understand what’s important to them. The same is true in our relationship with God.
God makes it clear that He has given us the Bible to reveal Himself to us. Jesus revealed even more about God in what He did (especially His death and resurrection) and taught and that is recorded for us in the Scriptures. The more we read the Scriptures (like Jeremiah 9:23-24), the more we understand what is important to God, but this is just the beginning.
To get to know God, we must trust what He says and put it into practice in our daily lives. This is the best way to share experiences with Him, in constant trust and obedience. The more we know Him, the more we will be able to understand His will for our lives. Such a relationship develops over time, through patient obedience and faith.
We will struggle to understand God’s will when we don’t seek it every day. Often we become desperate to know His will, only when things are tough and we need to make difficult decisions. Constant study and practice of God’s Word will not just be helpful in making difficult decisions, it brings a precious reward which will give fullness of joy to everyday situations and never come to an end. (John 17:3)
Worship.
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Listen to How deep the Fathers love.
Prayer.
Dear Loving Father in Heaven, Thank You that You have made us in Your image and given us the blessing of being able to know You. We pray Lord that You will teach us, reveal Yourself to us Lord, through Your word and by Your Holy Spirit. Help us to trust Your promises and obey Your commandments, and through that to experience You and Your will for our lives. Please forgive us when our own selfish desires prevent us from seeing and doing Your will. In Jesus Name Amen.
Service.
We study the Bible to know God’s will for us so that we can do His will, but we often stop short of that. There is no point finding God’s will if we’re not going to do it. Today, let’s make a decision to end every Bible study with the question “What should we do with what we’ve learned today?”.