Transformed by Truth: Committing and Trusting in God's Will
Introduction
Today, we gather to delve into the wisdom of God's Word with a focus on how we can live lives that are truly transformed by His truth. Our guiding scriptures for this sermon are Proverbs 16:3 and James 4:15, verses that speak profoundly about committing our plans to the Lord and understanding His sovereign will.
1. Commit Your Actions to the Lord
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT): “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 calls us to dedicate our every action to the Lord. The Hebrew word translated as "commit" here literally means to "roll" your burdens onto the Lord. This implies a total surrender of our efforts and plans to God's control and direction.
When we commit our actions to the Lord, we are not merely seeking His blessings on our plans; rather, we are aligning our desires with His will. As Charles Spurgeon once noted, “Our plans are ours in draft. Let them be God's in the working out.”
Think about a time when you faced a significant decision. Did you truly seek God's guidance, or did you forge ahead with your plans, hoping He would endorse them? Committing to the Lord means we seek His wisdom first and trust Him completely with the outcomes.
Consider the story of George Müller, who operated orphanages solely by trusting in God's provision without ever asking for funds. He committed his work to the Lord and witnessed miraculous provisions time and again, demonstrating the truth of Proverbs 16:3.
Proverbs 3:5 (NLT): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
This verse reinforces the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than our own.
2. Understanding God's Sovereign Will
James 4:15 (NLT): “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’”
James 4:15 reminds us of the sovereignty of God's will over our lives. It cautions against the arrogance of planning without considering God's overarching control and purpose.
James warns against the presumption of self-reliance. Our plans are always subject to the will of God, who holds our future in His hands. John Piper said, “God’s sovereignty does not limit our plans, but rather, it frees us to trust in His perfect will.”
Are you in the habit of prefacing your plans with “If the Lord wills”? This practice humbly acknowledges that we do not control the future, and it keeps us dependent on God's guidance.
The Apostle Paul frequently expressed his intentions with phrases like “if it is the Lord’s will” (e.g., Acts 18:21). His example shows us the importance of submitting our plans to God's ultimate authority.
Proverbs 19:21 (NLT): “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
This verse underscores that, while we may have many plans, it is God's purpose that ultimately stands.
3. Living with a God-Centered Perspective
Matthew 6:33 (NLT): “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
To truly commit our ways to the Lord and acknowledge His will, we must prioritize seeking His Kingdom and righteousness above all else.
Jesus calls us to focus our lives on God's priorities. When our lives are centered on His Kingdom, our plans and actions align with His will, leading to true success.
Examine your daily life. Are you seeking God’s Kingdom first, or are your priorities centered around your own desires and ambitions? Adjusting our focus ensures that our lives are aligned with God's will.
Consider the story of Eric Liddell, the Olympic athlete who refused to run on Sunday because of his commitment to God's principles. His decision to honour God over personal glory exemplifies a Kingdom-focused life.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
This verse highlights that God has specific plans for us, and living according to His will allows us to fulfill our purpose.
Application and Call to Action
In conclusion, let us be transformed by the truth of God's Word. Commit your actions to the Lord, recognize His sovereign will in your life, and seek His Kingdom above all else. By doing so, we align our lives with His divine purpose and experience His perfect guidance and provision.
As we leave today, let us:
Commit our daily actions and long-term plans to the Lord.
Acknowledge and submit to God’s sovereign will in all our decisions.
Live with a God-centered perspective, seeking His Kingdom first.
Let us pray for the grace to trust God fully, to seek His will in all things, and to live lives that glorify Him. Amen.
