How can I Know what God wants me to do?
Romans 11: 33 – 36
Introduction: Most often we are in a dilemma while making small or big decisions in our lives. We may ask the following questions-
1. Will God send me a clear signal?
2. Will I get some sort of special feeling?
3. What if there is no Biblical application for that situation?
4. How much should I rely on common sense?
5. Why doesn’t God tell me straight away, rather than playing hide and seek with me?
6. What about the pros and cons (specially those good options) which have been offered?
Illustration: Francis Schaeffer struggled to know God’s will in his life. His father wanted to hear from him soon as to what he was going to be and do in life.
His heart was all out to pursue medicine and become a physician. His parents desired him to take on engineering. There was a tussle. It could go either way but God would have something which none of them had even dreamed in their wildest dreams.
Finally in desperation, Francis prayed and flipped a coin whether to pursue full time ministry or take up a secular profession.
The decision – pursue full time ministry. He went on to become a full time pastor, philosopher, lecturer and founder of LABRI Fellowship and wrote numerous books.
Isaiah helps us to reflect in chapter 55 vs. 8 – 9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
We become very anxious and get frustrated with very small and big decisions of our life. We may go to the extent of adopting worldly methods to take those decisions.
We may-
• Ask God to give us immediate sign
• Fast
• Flip a coin
• Feelings
• Dream
• Think logically / practically
(A) And the list may go on and with every addition the confusion multiplies. What must I do?
Sometimes the Bible doesn’t give a clear cut answer to every question. Thus we have to be careful as to seeking solutions to these everyday relevant issues. And there is a possibility that we may resort to employ human methods in our desperation.
Apparently there are some people who think God has their life mapped out and will not show them the way. With every step they wonder whether God has approved it or not. We must first realize that God doesn’t intend us to have a frustrated life. The Bible tells us that as we do what God has so clearly told us to do, He will, in His time and way, make sure that we do not miss what He has planned for us.
Galatians 5: 17 says, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Because of our own human fleshy desires, things can get confusing and God’s will doesn’t take place just as any natural process. We even underestimate God’s involvement in our life.
(B) What do we do in those dire circumstances?
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 says, “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.”
And Psalm 5: 8 say, “Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
© The question arises as to how do we acknowledge the Lord?
Should you shave your head, sit on top of the Himalayas without a stitch of clothing, live in a monastery and pray 8 hours a day? I don’t believe that shows up anywhere in the ‘Word of the Lord.”
1. Trust the Lord (as Abraham) = Proverbs 3: 5; Psalm 23: 1
2. Submit to God (as Moses) = Rom 12: 1 – 2; Proverbs 1: 7; Psalm 25: 9
3. Prayer (as Daniel) = James 1: 5
In Joshua 9 we read that the Israelites compromised with the Gibeonites whom the Lord had asked to be killed. Without including God, they made a treaty with them and lost everything in the bargain.
Colossians 1: 9 – 10 says, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
God does reveal His will to us through His Word and by the in-dwelling Holy Spirit but first we must pray. [Illustration: Jonah; Adam & Eve]
(D) What can we expect when we acknowledge Him?
• Ephesians 1: 11 [In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,]
• Philippians 2: 13 [for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.]
• Romans 8: 28 [And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.]
(E) What does the Holy Spirit do for us? How does the Holy Spirit work?
Acts 8: 29; 11: 28; 13: 2; 21:11
Impressions can be deceiving as they may come from questionable sources – our desires, feelings, secular counselors etc.
Conclusion:
1. Have you acknowledged (surrendered) to the Lord God completely, every area of your life?
2. God is not answering your prayer and you are unable to get guidance from Him for a certain matter as you have been ignoring what He has been telling you for other matter, which is of more concern to Him.\
3. In the past you haven’t prayed in order to consult Him but relied on your own logical sense. This may be the time for you to acknowledge to Him and ask for pardon, beginning a new relationship with Him and consult God for every aspect of your life.
May the Lord give you divine wisdom and understanding to do His will and His will alone. May the Lord God Bless you.
