Finding God's Will

FINDING GOD'S WILL

INTRODUCTION

Stand to your feet and open your Bibles with me today. We are about to embark on a journey that will transform how you approach every decision, every crossroad, every moment of uncertainty in your life. The question that keeps believers awake at night, the question that causes anxiety in the hearts of sincere Christians is this: What is God's will for my life?

You are not alone in asking this question. From the moment you surrendered your life to Christ, you entered into a relationship that demands direction. You need to know where God is leading you. You need to understand what He desires from you. The good news I bring you today is that God has not hidden His will from you. He has not made it a mysterious puzzle that only super-spiritual saints solve. His will is revealed, available, and accessible to every believer who genuinely seeks it.

Paul writes to the Romans with urgency. He addresses believers who face the same struggles you face. They lived in a pagan culture. They worked in corrupt marketplaces. They raised children in an immoral society. Sound familiar? The apostle gives them the key to finding God's will, and that same key unlocks the door for you today.

I. SEEKING GOD'S GUIDANCE - Proverbs 3:5-6

Turn with me to Proverbs 3:5-6. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gives us profound instruction. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Notice three critical components in these verses.

1. There must be complete trust. Not partial trust. Not backup trust. Not trust-with-reservations. Solomon says "with all your heart." This means your entire being, your whole self, your complete confidence rests in the Lord. You stop depending on your education, your experience, your connections, your financial planning. All those things have their place, but they are not your ultimate security.

The Bible points out something powerful here. The heart in Hebrew thought represents the center of your being. This is not emotional sentimentality. This is the core of who you are. When you trust the Lord with all your heart, you are saying, "Lord, I place the control center of my life entirely in Your hands."

2. You must resist self-reliance. "Lean not on your own understanding." Your natural mind is darkened by sin. Your reasoning is contaminated by selfishness. Your perspective is limited by your finite knowledge. The natural people have no understanding of spiritual things. 1 Corinthians 3:19 tells us, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." Your best thinking got you into trouble before Christ saved you. Your best planning apart from God leads to frustration and failure. Jeremiah 10:23 confirms this truth: "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps."

Let me tell you about a time when I thought I knew better than God. Years ago, a ministry opportunity came my way. Everything about it looked perfect. The salary was higher. The position was more prestigious. The location was more desirable. I prayed about it, but honestly, I had already made up my mind. I leaned on my own understanding. I took the position. Within six months, I was miserable. The ministry was toxic. The leadership was corrupt. I had walked right out of God's will because I trusted my own judgment more than His direction.

3. You must acknowledge Him in everything. The phrase "in all your ways" means every decision, every relationship, every business deal, every investment, every conversation. Nothing is too small for His concern. Nothing is too large for His control. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reinforces this principle: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." When you acknowledge Him, you are bringing Him into the decision-making process before you act.

The promise attached to this obedience is stunning. "He shall direct your paths." The Hebrew word for "direct" means to make straight, to make smooth. God removes the obstacles. He clears the confusion. He opens doors that need opening and closes doors that need closing. When you follow these three principles, you position yourself to receive divine guidance.

II. KNOWING GOD'S PLANS - Jeremiah 29:11

Now turn to Jeremiah 29:11. The context is crucial. The Jews are in Babylon. They are captives in a foreign land. Everything looks hopeless. False prophets are telling them what they want to hear. But God speaks through Jeremiah with a message that has encouraged believers for thousands of years: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."