Knowing the will of God isn't the impossible task that some like to describe. If we stop to think about it, we were given some specific ideas about this when Amos said "can two walk together except that they agree?" If we are to walk with God, we must mold our minds and thoughts into the same patterns of His. You must understand, God cannot change - we must. So, if we wish to change - to learn the will of God - we must do several things. Let's look at a few – six sounds like a ‘nice round number’.
1. You must be able to surrender your will to the Father.
When God specifically told the people that they could not have any idols, he meant exactly that (cf. Exo 20:4-60). Most people consider an idol as an image that you bow down to. This is not necessarily true. Webster's tells us that an idol can be anything that is we are devoted to or excessively admired. What this means is that anything that you put before God becomes an idol.
2. You cannot depend upon 'your feelings'.
In Judges 17:6, we find that the Israelites did 'that which was right in his own eyes'. They decided what was correct and what was not without God. Deuteronomy 12:8 specifically forbids us to 'whatsoever is right in his own eyes'! Do you remember the very first sin? Adam partook of the tree of knowledge - the tree that would allow him to have the ability to 'know' right from wrong. He decided that God needed help in understanding right from wrong. He decided that he didn't need God anymore to decide right from wrong. Well, he was wrong!
Often, many people feel they have sufficient information to decide a course of action. Without the FULL story, we can never make a completely error free decision between what is right and what is wrong. It seems to me that only God has the "whole story"!
3. Study of the Word will often explain his will for you.
We find that the people favored of God actively pursued knowledge of Him and willingly suffered whatever was necessary in order to gain more understanding. Can we do any less? (2 Tim 2:15 & Acts 17:11)
4. Take note of providential circumstances.
We find that God says the people will look for Him and not find Him. We, humans, 'demand' an empirical definition for everything. We seemingly cannot accept that God often works in our lives in a purely natural manner (i.e. storms, gifts, peace of mind, etc.).
5. Ask God to reveal himself to you.
Then accept the 'pruning' that comes from God (John 15:1-4). This principle is often overlooked. We are 'saints' of the most high because we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus Christ! Being a saint requires that I be made holy unto God. God will not coexist with evil. He reconciled me to him. We are made a new creature (creation) through this rebirth. The old man is put away. We are part of the vine of Jesus Christ. God is the Husbandman. There are two types of branches on a vine; one that bears good fruit and one that does not. Those that do not bear good fruit "he takes away". More important is the one that bears good fruit. New growth on a limb that is pointed the WRONG DIRECTION is cut off - pruned! It is the same with us. Every time we exhibit new growth that is contrary to the will of God, he will prune that branch. If we persist in going in the direction that he cuts off, we get chastised (Hebrews 12:5-8).
6. Wait on him with patience.
One of David's psalms very plainly tells us to learn patience. Learn how to accept that God is going to answer all prayers in one of three ways. He will either answer 'yes', 'no', or 'wait'. Most of us can easily handle the yes answer. Many can handle the no answer. Most, however, cannot handle the 'wait' answer. The 'wait' answer always seems to be silence on God's part - thus we are left feeling like we have been forsaken, forgotten or not important enough for God to pay attention to us (Psalm 25:4 - 5).
The bottom line? To "know" God until we must accept him and his guidance. As Jesus said, if you love me, you'll keep my commandments. So it is with our belief that we can "know" God. We must strive to be 'like' God to 'know' God!
[Chuck Fannin is the Young Adult's Sunday School teacher at Rolling Fork Baptist Church]
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