Principles to Live By: The Will of God, Pt. 2

God certainly has a general will that is common to all of us. I also believe God has a will for your life that is just for you and shared with no one else.

Principles to Live By: The Will of God, Pt. 2

"Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness."

(Psalm 143:10)

All followers of Jesus deeply desire to walk with God, please Him, and follow His will for their lives. I believe all Christians share common aspects of the will of God. For example, Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality." It is clearly God's will for all His people that we live godly, holy lives for His glory. You could also safely state that it is God's will for all His people to obey the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). I also believe God has a will for your life that is just for you and shared with no one else. God created you uniquely; there is no one in the world just like you. God fashioned you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Psalm 139:16 states, "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

This week in our devotions, I will share some of the highlights from Dr. Stanley's message on Life Principle #5: The Will of God. I will try and capture for you what he said and make some comments myself on this very important topic of knowing and doing the will of God.

Stanley said the question he is asked the most has to do with the will of God. It is one of the most important aspects of your life, and God is committed to reveal it to you if you are willing to seek Him for it. At times, God's will may appear unreasonable. He does not require us to understand but to obey, even if it does not make sense. When we want a full understanding, we are headed for trouble. We are obligated to obey, no matter what. I love how direct Stanley is in his teachings. I heard a critique of pastors on a secular radio station recently wherein the person accused pastors of not speaking up on moral issues and instead giving their congregations very soft and fluffy sermons. While that is indeed true of far too many pastors today, especially in the US, you cannot say that about Dr. Stanley! He genuinely spoke the truth of God, and he did so with compassion. He taught the Bible, and that is what we need so very badly today.

Stanley's message reminded me of another great man of God, and that is Henry Blackaby and his outstanding book Experiencing God. It is still popular and helping people today. I remember going through the workbook with some people in the first church I served as pastor in Keller, TX, and that was 30 years ago!

It is a wonderful comfort knowing that God loves us so much that He created us, saved us by the blood of His Son Jesus, shed for us on the cross, and that God has a great plan for our lives (His will). You may not know currently what God's will is for you in some major areas of your life. I encourage you to be patient and trust God. He will show you. When He does, do not panic or fear that you cannot do it. If God guides you to it, then surely He will empower you to do it!