Tag: prayer

I can’t believe that five weeks have gone by since we started the topic “Discerning God’s Will!” Before we outline how to find the will of God, let’s review our progress.

Review

In week one (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/discerning-gods-will/), we explored Isaiah 55, where we found God wants us to step up our spiritual experience. It is His will for us to know His will. Week two (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/is-it-possible-to-know-gods-will/) followed the saga of Baalam, a prophet of sorts in Numbers 22-24, who showed us it is possible for us to know God’s will. We discussed during week three’s session (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/why-is-it-important-for-me-to-follow-gods-will/) why it is important to know and do God’s will. Four fathers gave examples for each answer. Last week, week four, (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/is-the-will-of-god-specific-to-me/), we looked at four additional biblical examples and a personal one as we reviewed the theme of the specific nature of God’s will for each of us.

Overview: Find the Will of God

In each session, we alluded to or hinted at how to discover or recognize God’s will and we will explore this from the biblical standpoint where, as discussed before, there are several methods to find out. We will discuss seven (7) components of finding out God’s will. These are not part of a formula or recipe. The first one is a personal requirement or a commitment. The next five are ways God reveals His will, and the last is another requirement, again it is a commitment. This is not an exhaustive list and, in fact, many of the elements may not pertain to you. I believe it is how one relates or has related to God over the years. As before, there are biblical precedents for each.

1. Desire

Do you want to know God’s will for your life or are you okay just going day to day in a routine? Is your desire to find the will of God a burning passion, or does it really matter or not if you find it? Matthew 5:6 states that blessed and satisfied are those that hunger and thirst after “right doing”. By now, we are quite familiar with the Psalmist’s confession—“I delight to do Thy will O my God”, Psalm 40:8, and again in Psalm 42:1, 2 “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.” It is not a half-hearted wish—you have to want it!

2. Discussion

This is the first of the five ways to find the will of God for us. Again, it is not an exhaustive list. Discussion usually involves at least two parties and in this context, the second party is God. Yes, I am alluding to prayer and meditation. Ellen G. White states that “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend” (Steps to Christ, p. 93). It is not a monologue, it is a dialogue with an opportunity for one to be silent and allow God to speak. He speaks through His Word. Seek this interaction and expect God’s response. Want it!

3. Discovery

We introduced three Bible references last week on spiritual gifts (Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4:8-12). This is another method to find the will of God. Many people do not know what their spiritual gifts are. Many are talented or have particular interests, but it is important to know how God has outfitted you for His service and ministry to the body of Christ. Your talent may be your gift, but if not used the way God has designed, it could end up being a curse to yourself and others rather than a blessing the way intended.

Take some time to review the lists of gifts as found in these referenced chapters. Perhaps write them down and categorize them. See which ones resonate with you. Even see which ones remind you of someone you know—you might even mention it to that person as a gesture of affirmation. It may be a surprise to them, or maybe they were waiting for that external confirmation. There are several online gift assessments and even church seminars.

This is a crucial step for each believer and church fellowship to take to enable the body to function in harmony rather than in chaos. Each person has at least one gift. Don’t gasp if you have more than one—praise God! Just remember Christ’s admonition in Luke 12:48 “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:”

4. Dreams

Joseph, of Egyptian fame and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, both received instruction from God via dreams (Genesis 37:19, 20; Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:22). God still uses this method, and it is helpful to find the will of God. It is important to place the dream in the proper context and have further discussion with God. Some of us have very vivid dreams if we eat late or watch TV before bed. Thus, I would caution one against acting on their so-called dream from God the minute they awaken the next morning! Because of this, some caution that the last exposure one should have before sleeping is time with God. For this, and all the methods we are discussing, the instruction given should coincide with the Word of God. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).”

5. Discernment

Elijah’s encounter with God on Mount Horeb (I Kings 19:8-21) is one of the earliest examples of hearing the “still small voice” of God. No fanfare, nothing spectacular, the instruction almost appeared to come in passing. By developing a closer walk with God, one becomes more attuned to recognizing God’s voice, especially when there is a lot of competition for one’s attention. Similar to the other methods, God’s Word, a trusted friend, or a spiritual mentor can convey discernment. Sometimes it is via repetition, as God places Himself “in your way” during the day. As an old Verizon commercial used to ask, “Can you hear Me now?”

6. Dramatic

I attended a graduation service one day in a large church. As a task-driven introvert, my goal was to attend the service and leave without incident. I noticed a well-known church leader and his family engaged with others. I had had a dream the night before that I would see him. He spied me from across the auditorium and, abruptly leaving his group, we made our way towards each other. He was almost breathless as he accosted me. “Dr. Blake, God has impressed me you are called to chaplaincy ministry!” I stood, surprised and almost speechless. The reason was not because of his presumption, but because of his revelation. I had been contemplating chaplaincy for quite some time and had told no one but God. We pledged to have a longer dialogue, and I greeted his family, who by now had caught up, and hurried from the auditorium to process what had just happened. The rest is a story for another time. Experiencing this method to find the will of God can be enlightening, but can also be overwhelming.

7. Duty

Finally, once you find the will of God for your life, what are you going to do about it? Some people express doubt or disbelief and look for additional evidence or another sign, as did Gideon (Judges 6:11-24). This only delays God’s work in your life, for as our anchor text states, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8)?” Thus, once you know God’s will, by whatever revealed method or methods, the next and best course of action is to do it because, as in week three:

1. It shows obedience to God.
2. It shows love for God.
3. It avoids confusion.
4. The life I save may just be my own.

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