Knowing the Will of God

How are we to know God's will for our lives?

We must submit ourselves to God first, by surrendering our lives to Him; by being saved, and by reading and obeying God's Holy Word, daily. God's direction, or will, can be given to us if we will listen to Him when He speaks to us in His Word, (the Holy Bible, KJV).

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 (God's Word will direct us.)

We must pray always, to know God's will, as well as knowing His Word, by reading and doing it. Unfortunately, God doesn't come down to us, and most of the time doesn't send us a messenger to tell us His will explicitly. But, if we acknowledge our need of His help, He will direct our steps.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

God wants us to know His will for our lives, and if we seek Him we will find it.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Proverbs 28:5

How do we seek God?

As stated earlier in this message, we must read God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15, Isaiah 28:9-13), we must hear God's Word preached (Romans 10:14-15, 17), and do the best we can by the knowledge and grace that God gives us, ever seeking more understanding and knowledge. When we have done these things, we must pray, acknowledge our need of God, and trust that He will direct our paths, when we don't get a clear answer from the Bible. We also must be patient in seeking God for an answer.

This is what Jesus said:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8

Pray, not faint. Don't get tired of asking, and quit. We must have faith, believing God will do what He says He will do.

Throughout the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, we see faith active in the lives of those great patriarchs. How did they obtain such faith? Through obedience, through works of faith, and through works of righteousness.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-25, 27

Also see James 2:14-26.

If we have this kind of faith, we can receive direction from God, as to His will. At times, however, our faith may be weak. Jesus' instruction in this situation was to fast.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29

Daniel fasted and obtained great results – an angel of the Lord came to him!

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:2-3

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. Daniel 11:12 & 14

The Apostle Paul fasted and received his eyesight again, and was given direction from God. He was told God's will for his life.

IN CONCLUSION

Remember how Jesus said we ought to pray? Asking for God's will, not our own!

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

What is God's will for all of us?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:1-3

Pray to know all of God's will for your life.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

My prayer is that God would help you to understand and to do His will. He will bless us now (in this life) and in the life to come. Praise God!