Not My Will, But God's. 05/23/2014 (Morning thought)

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

This brief statement contains the motif that all Christians should live by, for Christ is our example in all things. As Jesus went forth to labor for the benefit of the people from day to day, he would first consult with God the Father, not to inform Him of his own plans, but rather to get directions as to what should be done, and how it should be accomplished for that very day. Christ was content to go wherever the Father led the way, and by doing so, he set us the example we should always follow in the daily experiences of life.

We too often make our own plans and then take them to the Lord in prayer, thus giving Him two or three options to choose from, as opposed to going to Him with no plans to find out what His will for us is. This is what the children of Israel often did, that caused them much unnecessary heartache. For instance, when they were about to take the city of Ai, instead of consulting first with God, they made plans based upon the advice of finite mortals like themselves, and thus they incurred losses that were absolutely unnecessary. Let's read:

Joshua 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

The result of human planning in this instance is clearly seen, and speaks volumes to our dire need of asking God's will in every situation and circumstance. Let's read:

Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

If Joshua and his men had sought the Lord for guidance and planning, God would have without doubt shown them that there was a traitor in the camp, and therefore He would have instructed Joshua to deal with the internal, spiritual problem first before going to battle.

These lessons contain critically important information for us as we trod the Christian pathway. We often find out God's will after the fact instead of seeking Him before our plans are matured and put into action. Whenever there are decisions to be made, let us form the habit of seeking God first, so that he can guide us into safe paths, for the Lord knows the end from the beginning, and therefore He is able to lead us in the best possible way.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which teaches us to wait upon God for instruction, guidance, wisdom, and discretion in all the affairs of life, and if we do, we will avoid many pitfalls of the enemy of our souls. Let's read:

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

May today be a day of new beginnings as we learn to do God's will, and not ours. God bless!