A man was journeying at night and fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a straggly branch that stopped him from tumbling to his death. Alone, he quickly surveyed his situation and realized he wouldn't be able to hold on for long. He decided to call out for help. "Is anyone up there?"
After what seemed like an eternity of silence, he heard the voice of God, "I can help." Relieved that his life was saved by a miracle, the man waited for his deliverance. "Let go of the branch!" God commanded.
The man considered this, and questioned why God would ask something so dangerous and deadly. This wasn't deliverance at all. There had to be a better option. "Is anyone else up there?" the man pleaded. All the while, he didn't realize that, dangling from the branch, his feet were only 18 inches off the ground.
We often wish that we knew more about God's will. "What does God want me to do?" We pray and struggle trying to figure out the right way. All the while, however, God has clearly revealed his will to us. Printed plainly in the Bible.
Jesus once said, "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him will have eternal life" (John 6:40).
Yes, there are some things God plans that we don't know. There are many more things, however, that God plans and he lets us know. But we're spending so much energy trying to figure out God's unknown will that we don't pay attention to the will of God that he clearly reveals.
The apostle Paul taught people about God's will when he wrote, "We instructed you how to live in order to please God … It is God's will that you should be sanctified" (1 Thessalonians 4:1,3).
These two verses outline the will of God revealed in the Bible:
- look to Jesus and be saved, and
- live a sanctified (set apart as special) life to please God.
Bullet-pointed under these two themes are sub-sections of God's will for us, detailing the story of salvation that he wants us to believe, and divine commands to obey.
Plenty of material. Perfect promises to live by, and guidance to make life even better. What would change in your life if you started paying more attention to God's will he already reveals? Where could you become more certain and confident?
PRAYER: There is so much you already tell me, God, as I search for your will. Open my eyes of faith to see your promises and guidance, to believe, and to do your will. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Spend at least 15 minutes meditating on those two questions: 1) What would change in your life if you started paying more attention to God's will he already reveals? 2) Where could you become more certain and confident? Pray about them using the PRAY acronym.
- Praise (tell God what you appreciate about him)
- Repent (tell God about your sins, trust in his promises of forgiveness)
- Ask (go ahead, think big, or focus on a small detail, God wants to hear it all)
- Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say "Amen," how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good)
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