“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;” Psalm 37:23 (NIV)
How can I know God’s Will for my life?
I hear that question all the time. For many, this is a paralyzing question. They don’t want to step out of God’s will and they want to do God’s will. So, they wait and wait and wait for God to show them if they should take that job, go to this college or move to another place. While they’re waiting on a sign from God to confirm His will opportunities are slipping away.
God’s will is not a great mystery. He doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. The bible clearly tells us what His will is.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 Paul is giving some final instructions. In verse 16-18 he writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Paul also instructs us in chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians that it is God’s will that we should be sanctified, control ourselves, live holy and honorably, and to not take advantage of others. Pretty basic stuff.
Of course, that all pertains to how we should live and relate to others. It doesn’t tell us how to know if it is God’s will to get a new job, marry, move or go to college. Or, does it?
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says to:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
If we trust in the Lord and we submit to what we know is His will, we can trust that He will direct us in the paths we choose for our lives. Paul expands on this in Romans 12.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As we offer our lives to God, living intentionally within His known will according to what the bible teaches us then we can be assured that God is directing us.
So, love God, rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances and then go for that job, sign up for classes and move.
