HOW DO YOU KNOW THE WILL OF GOD?
God shows it in three ways:
(1) By the teaching of His Word. In the Bible we have God’s will revealed in general terms and in clearly stated principles. For example, will it glorify God? Will it honour the Holy Spirit? Does it conflict with any clear command? These clear principles give us definite guidance concerning a great many matters. There are matters, however, about which the Bible does not have any specific word for us. Suppose we are in doubt as to whether we should go on a certain journey or buy a certain house –- how can we be sure of our guidance about matters like this? We can be sure because God guides us not only by the teaching of His Word, but also:
(2) By the promptings of His Spirit. This is very wonderful! (Romans 8:14, and compare Psalm 143:8, 10, 11), particularly noticing the words, ‘Show me the way I should go……may your good Spirit lead me on level ground……For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life……’ When there is no specific principle by which we may discover guidance, God graciously intervenes and guides us by the prompting of the Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19). Thus, we have the Guide Himself within. But the Lord also guides us:
(3) By the overruling through His providence. He guides us through what we call the circumstances of life. He opens and closes doors (Revelation 3:8). He hedges up our way so that we cannot do the thing that we planned to do. He causes our thoughts to change to be in harmony with His own thoughts (Proverbs 16:3).
These are the three ways in which the Lord enables His children to ascertain His will. It is important to notice, however, that to be sure of knowing the will of God these three must agree, they must harmonise, and they must all say to us, ‘This is the way; walk in it!’(Isaiah 30:21).
What a wonderful thing it is to have a longing in our hearts to know and to do the will of God! Have you that longing? Is David’s prayer your prayer –- ‘Teach me to do your will’? (1 John 2:17).
Have a blessed week!
