GOD’S WILL MAY BE PAINFUL BUT IS PROFITABLE
INTRODUCTION
We may be children of God, His servants, followers or even genuine disciples. We may have called Him as Lord, might have prophesied in His name, cast out devils and even worked many wonders. But if we have not done His will, we can never enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:21-23) God’s will is good, acceptable and pleasing (Romans 12:2).
GOD HELPS US EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT IN HIS WILL
i) MOSES STRIKING THE ROCK
For instance, God spoke of His divine will about 210 times to Moses and the Israelites in the Pentateuch. Moses seems to be in God’s divine will all the 209 time but one disobedience of Moses prohibited him from entering Canaan. It was really hard for Moses to lead the murmuring and ungrateful Israelites. God Himself certified that Moses was the meekest of all men on earth (Numbers 12:3). Yet in his anger Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had said. See, even if when Moses did not do as God had said, water gushed out of the rock and the whole congregation and their animals had enough water to drink. But in the very next verse God says that because they did not do what he said, they will not lead the people into Canaan (Numbers 20:11-12). So even though we do not fulfill His will in our lives, things may seem to go well. But the end thereof will not be as God intended it to be. God’s Plan A was that Moses would lead the Israelites into Canaan. But because of his disobedience to His divine will, God had to take a Plan B in which Joshua would lead Israelites into Canaan.
ii) PAUL’S VOYAGE TO ROME
Again, about their voyage to Rome, Paul seriously warns them saying there will be a great disaster and great loss to the ship, cargo and even their lives. But the pilot, owner of the ship, centurion and majority of them decided that they would go. Even the wind was gentle with them and they thought it was a good opportunity for them to sail and started to go. But before very long there was a hurricane called the Northeaster and as Paul had said their ship, cargo and even their lives were at stake. They did not even have food for many days fearing for their lives. And now again Paul stood up to encourage them and there was a shipwreck but their lives were saved (Acts 27:9-44). See, God’s will is not what as majority of the people say nor as the circumstances seem advantageous. It is searching the heart of God for our lives and doing according to His pleasure.
iii) ISRAEL’S QUEST FOR A KING
God did not intend to give an earthly king for Israel. He Himself was their king and ruled over them through His prophets. But they asked for a king as all other nations had. This request displeased Samuel very much. But when he prayed, God asked Samuel to listen to them saying that they had not rejected Samuel but had rejected God from being their King (1 Samuel 8:4-20). God Himself told the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as their king for He had heard their prayers (1 Samuel 9:15-16). So even if our prayers and requests do not align with the will of God, He answers but we have to learn costly lessons out of it (1 Samuel 8:9, 11-18). Samuel warns them that God will give them a king as they wished but after they had suffered because of their king, God will not answer their prayers.
HOW TO KNOW HIS WILL?
i) WILL HAVE PEACE AND JOY
In the Lord’s prayer Jesus taught, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Hence His angels are the mighty ones who carry out His plans, listening for each of His commands (Psalm 103:20). By this we can easily conclude that His divine will would no doubt be peaceful and joyous for they are His kingdom’s attributes (Romans 14:17).
ii) WILL WALK IN THE LIGHT
His will would take us in the path of the Word of God which is the lamp to our feet and light to our path (Psalm 119:105). His commandment is the lamp and instruction the light. His reproofs of instruction are the way of life (Proverbs 6:23). When the Word of God says what to do and when we are walking in the light of His Word, we do not need to walk by our feelings. Only blind men and those in the dark walk by their feelings.
iii) WILL BEAR FRUIT
When we walk in the light, the Word of God, we will bear fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth. We will not lie nor walk in the dark, saying one thing in the open and doing another in the dark. We will carefully discern what pleases God and do it. (Ephesians 5:9-11, 17; Colossians 1:9-10)
CONCLUSION
His plans and thoughts for us are not for our disaster but for our peace and well-being, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). May God help us walk in His divine will.
