The Will of God
A few years ago I enjoyed reading a series of Christian fiction where the protagonist liked to refer to praying “the prayer that never fails.” I was a little dense, so it took me a few books before I realized that the prayer he referenced was “Thy will be done.”
In order to really pray that prayer, we need to make sure we understand exactly what we are asking. Are we really willing to submit to His will? What if it doesn’t line up with my will?
This begs another question that occurred to me in Bible class while studying John 7. In verses 16-19, Jesus is once again defending His teaching and ministry to the Jews who were questioning His knowledge. In verse 16 He plainly claimed that His teaching is God’s. But consider verse 17 in light of God’s will: “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.”
How do I know if what I want is God’s will? How do I even know what that will is? Do I really want to know God’s will when it goes beyond my will? Will I continue to pray “the prayer that never fails?”
“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
