Unraveling the Mystery of God’s Will
As I sit in the stands, watching the Padres game with my family, the three-cup game appears on the screen, challenging the crowd to guess which cup hides the ball. I’m always left feeling dizzy and confused, unable to win. It’s a feeling many of us can relate to when it comes to understanding God’s will for our lives. We often feel like we’re playing a game of hide-and-seek, trying to figure out what God wants from us.
A Misconception about God’s Will
We tend to assume that God is playing a game with us, hiding His will and forcing us to wrestle it from Him. We fear that if we don’t make the right decisions, we’ll miss out on His plan for our lives. But what if this isn’t the case? What if God’s will is not something we need to decipher, but rather something we can understand through Scripture?
Understanding God’s Will
The Bible speaks of God’s will in three main ways: His eternal plans and decrees, what is favorable to Him, and His providential guidance. These concepts are intertwined, and understanding them can help us grasp God’s will for our lives.
God’s Eternal Plans and Decrees
In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar comes to realize that God’s dominion is an everlasting one, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. God’s will is not limited to specific decisions or circumstances; it encompasses all of human history. This understanding can give us confidence in God’s sovereignty and control over our lives.
What is Favorable to God
In Deuteronomy 10:10, Moses says that God was unwilling to destroy His people, despite their sin. This shows us that God’s will is not just about what He wants, but also what is favorable to Him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Paul writes that God’s will is our sanctification, or being conformed to His image. This has far-reaching implications for our daily lives.
God’s Providential Guidance
God’s providence refers to His sovereign care for and ordering of His world and His people. This concept is often misunderstood as fate or luck, but for believers, it’s a demonstration of God’s love and involvement in our lives. As A.W. Tozer says, “The unbeliever cries, ‘I am God’s pawn!’ The believer sings, ‘I am God’s beloved.’”
Living in Confidence
God’s providential dealings with us can only be seen in hindsight, after we’ve walked in wisdom, faith, and obedience. We can’t declare His providence in advance, but we can trust that He is always guiding us. As Hebrews 11:1 says, we walk by faith, in the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen.
Conclusion
Understanding God’s will is not about figuring out a puzzle or playing a game. It’s about trusting in His sovereignty, favor, and providential care. By grasping these concepts, we can live in confidence, knowing that God is always guiding us, even when we can’t see the way ahead.
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