Thy Will Be Done
By Annah Matthews
Friday, November 10, 2017
“As it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him. Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 HCSB
How do I know God’s Will for my life? How do I know if I am walking in God’s Will for a specific circumstance? I am seeking God’s Will, how do I know when I have arrived at the answer?
Tough questions...one that can’t be answered with a simple devotional, but one that we all ask ourselves through the decisions that we have to make in life.
We want to follow God’s plan for our lives and walk in His Steps, but what if we heard Him wrong?
Scripture gives us several keys to know how to discern God’s Will for our lives but first we must know the prerequisite for being in His Will.
Look back up top and take a moment to read today’s verses above. Take note of verses 11-12,
“No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.”
First, we must have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. Without His Spirit we only have the wisdom and advice from the world. However, the wisdom that comes from above helps us to understand what God has freely given us, The Holy Spirit.
When you choose to follow Christ, you freely receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which gives counsel and guidance.
1 Corinthians 2:13 goes on to tell us that this is why we do not have to speak or act upon human wisdom because the Spirit of God expresses spiritual truths to our hearts using spiritual words. Well that is refreshing!
Second, we must have the mind and confidence of Christ. When we have a Christ-like mind it means that we are seeking to emulate Christ and that we are open to the Holy Spirit directing us in the ways of God.
“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV
That gives me serious confidence to know that I already have the mind of Christ because the Holy Spirit lives in me and the Lord is instructing me.
Through prayer, I tap into the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of me and ask with the confidence to have a Christ-like heart, mind, and attitude towards the situation I am facing. I am confidently going before the throne of God with the mind of Christ to seek answers.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,..” James 1:5 NIV
Third, we have the unique gift of having God’s Word before us. As we dig into Scripture for answers we must know that that God’s Word will never return void.
Psalms 119 NIV
v2 Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their hearts.
V9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.
V11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
V15 I delight in Your decrees I will not neglect Your Word.
V34 Give me understanding and I will keep Your Word and obey it with all my heart.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, turning our thoughts to be like Christ, and keeping God’s Word in our hearts and minds are gifts that God has given us to know His Will for our lives. Sometimes we need to wait and be still.
Other times we may be asked to walk through the water by faith. However, I believe that if we truly seek God with all of our hearts, mind, and soul, He is there to guide us in our walk and to give us the answers we so desperately seek.
Heavenly Father, So often we want to walk in Your Will but we are scared that we are making the wrong decisions or we are out of step. Give us the confidence to have a mind like Christ, allow us to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, provide us counsel through friends that is in line with your Word, and allow us to hide Your Truth in our hearts and minds. Let us seek first Your Will and then we will know, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: This is the way. Walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) In Jesus’ Name we Pray, Amen.
© 2017 by Annah Matthews. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Friday, 10 November 2017.
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