Liking God’s Will
George Stiekes
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17
God was so confident in the faithfulness of Job’s life that He challenged Satan to find fault with him, even allowing Satan to strip Job of his health, wealth and family (Job 1:12). God allowed Joseph to be beaten and thrown into a pit, sold to foreigners, falsely accused, and thrown into prison for twenty long years. All of the disciples faced martyrdom, except perhaps for John, even the Apostle Paul. Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den while his three friends were thrown into a fiery furnace. Moses could have lived his whole life in the lap of luxury but chose instead to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25b). John the Baptist was faithful in delivering God’s message and ended up having his head chopped off. There are so many more examples of those who suffered in the will of God.
We need to be honest right here: We do not always like the will of God, even knowing that it will work out for good (Romans 8:28). While going through the struggles of life, we do not want some pious Christian coming alongside to remind us of Psalm 18:30: As for God, His way is perfect.
Today, despite the danger from Isis, there are Christians returning to their villages to be a witness for Jesus Christ. They sense that this is God’s will and they are willing to trust His judgment whether it be by life or death (Philippians 1:20).
Do we really believe God’s way is perfect? Why is it we respond in the affirmative and then fall apart when God tests us? Why is it we so often think life must go our way? As Christians, do we really have an eternal perspective or do we find ourselves living more for the moment? We say we want His will and then complain when He fails to do what we want Him to do!
In Matthew 14, the disciples were in the midst of a stormy, rough sea. It was Jesus that constrained them to go out on the sea, over to the other side (14:22). In the midst of their peril, Jesus was alone on mountain praying for them (14:23). Then Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea (14:25). Not only did He still the storm, but He saw them through their turmoil and they ended up safely on the other side of the sea.
We should recognize that the safest place in the world for the believer is in the center of God’s will. He will not ask us to do something that He fails to give us the enablement to do it. Jesus sent the disciples to the other side and then saw them safely through and no matter what circumstances we face in this life, He will see us safely through as we trust Him. Do you believe that and are you willing to trust Him accordingly? What test is He allowing in your life just now?
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.