The question of the day – most every
day – for those who desire to follow God. How can I know God’s will?
Choices are not always crystal clear no matter how strong our desire to
follow God’s plan. The Apostle Paul provides a clue in two of the choices he made.
In Acts 16, Paul planned to go east
to Asia but “the Holy Spirit told them not to go into the province of Asia at
that time.” So he and his companions "headed
for the province of Bithynia” (in the north), "but again the Spirit of Jesus did
not let them go." Then that
night, Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia in Greece (due west), “pleading
with him, 'Come over here and help us.' So we decided to leave for Macedonia at
once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good
News there."
Making those choices eventually
landed Paul and Silas in jail where they sang worship songs and prayed,
survived an earthquake, led the jailer and his family to faith in Jesus, and
founded the church at Philippi and others on their second missionary journey.
Later, on his third journey, Paul
planned to go to Rome. He was arrested and appeared before the Roman rulers and
would have been set free except for his appeal to go to Rome. After several
years, he finally set sail, still a prisoner in chains. A storm arose so fierce
that the sailors were terrified, but Paul the prisoner reassured them, "But take courage! None of you will
lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an
angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he
said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!
What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with
you.' So take courage! For I believe God. It will be
just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an
island."
After the shipwreck, Paul was on the
island of Malta where he was bitten by a deadly snake which he shook off into
the fire. So deadly was this snake, when he didn’t die, the islanders thought
he was a god.
On his second journey, Paul did
an about-face twice changing the directions of his travels, but on his
third journey, he was resolute to reach his destination of Rome despite
storm, shipwreck, snakebite and being a prisoner.
So here’s the question – how did he know? How did Paul
know to give up his plans for Asia and Bithynia, while never giving up on Rome
despite serious setbacks?
What would I do?
Would I have been willing to quickly
abandon my plans because a dream indicated to go another way or would I
stubbornly set my jaw and press on against God’s will for what I think I want?
Would I be resolute to journey forth
despite storm and hardship or would I give up under the strain thinking
something so difficult couldn’t be of God?
Honestly, I can’t say.
What I can conclude is this. Paul didn’t make
these decisions according to the emotions he felt on any given day.
He didn’t make a list of pros and
cons reasoning out the best plan to follow.
He based his decisions on a lifelong
sensitivity to God’s leading.
In prison, he worshipped and prayed.
He didn’t decide to develop a prayer life when hardship hit. This godly behavior in tough times
came from a life of prayer and worship in the ordinary times.
Want to know God’s will in the
difficult times? Get to know His will each day, whether there are big decisions
to make or not. Spending time with Him in prayer and praise will increase
sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. There’s simply no shortcut or substitute.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:12 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
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Do you struggle to know God's will sometimes? How can I best pray for you beloved? .
8 comments:
I think anyone who cares about pleasing the Lord yearns to hear his voice more clearly. I have often asked, "How do I know if God is putting up his stop sign or the Devil is thwarting the Lord's plan for my life?" The best answer I've heard is to follow peace. God's
Spirit leads by a peace in your inner man that can't be taken away. The enemy pushes and coerces by guilt, confusion, compulsion, and darkness.
I am trying not to covet your lovely scarf! You look so beautiful in that photo.
Thanks Jeanette! For your wise words and your comment about my scarf. I keep thinking how terrible it looks in the photo! You're a darling!
Hi Susan -
I need wisdom and favor right now. There are serious decisions on the horizon.
Thanks,
Susan :)
Susan,
I will uphold you in prayer, my friend. May His presence and peace clearly guide you.
Susan
Thanks for sharing rich Biblical insights, Susan. You're a blessing!
Thank you Maude! You are too ;D
So true! A lifetime of prayer....you know bc you know the Lord bc u spend time with Him and recogize his presence! xoxoxo see you soon at the trafficing meeting at church. susan
i love that....Paul had a lifelong sensitivity to God's leading. I love you and will really miss you...Will keep in touch ok?!
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