The subject of God’s will is often one of great concern to growing Christians. Those who have accepted the forgiving grace of Jesus now have a desire to live a life which brings Him glory and honor. We have read we are to present ourselves as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1), and we’re ready to do His will; but what does God want us to do, where does He want us to go?
Fortunately, much of God’s will is found directly in His Word. It’s God’s will that we live a pure and holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7), and obey His commands (John 15:10). It’s God’s will that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), that we remain in Him and bear much fruit (John 15:1-8), that we forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15), love others (1 John 4:7), and share the message of Jesus with others (Matthew 28:19-20). It’s also God’s will to “be joyful always; pray continuously; {and} give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
This list is not complete, but it’s a good sampling of what is referred to as God’s “general” will – His will for all His children as we are “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). God’s general will involves a lifetime of worship and abiding in His presence. We still must pray for guidance and strength in following His general will, but we need not desperately search – His general will has already been revealed in His Word.
But God may also direct us in very “specific” ways. He may do this slowly through circumstances or people, or by way of a direct, clear, and persistent call. This call is perhaps best demonstrated in the life of Jonah.
Jonah 1:2
“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
God’s specific will for Jonah was clear and with a definite purpose, but Jonah had to choose whether to obey and follow. Jonah tried to run from God’s will – run from Nineveh – and spent three days inside a giant fish. After the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land, God calmly revealed His will a second time; “Go to the great city of Nineveh…” (Jonah 3:2). God’s call remained exactly the same; His specific will for Jonah was unchanged. This time, “Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord” (Jonah 3:3).
There are vast portions of God’s will which are already revealed in His Word. We must develop the discipline of reading and studying His Word – studying His will – and then follow what He has already commanded. And for the part of God’s will which is specific to our life, we must listen intently, pray diligently, and wait very patiently. But when His specific direction arrives (and we will know when God calls) we must be prepared to abandon all else and boldly follow Him to Nineveh!
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
