PRAYER & DOING THE WILL OF GOD.
In my blog on Prayer yesterday, I mentioned that I have been experiencing many answers of prayer, especially for others, but also for myself. I have been praying much about a certain personal matter in my life, and the Lord has clearly confirmed HIS WILL for me and the direction I need to go to see my prayer request fully outworked, my wife also believes this is right. How often though when we ask the Lord about a matter, we are hoping that the answer will bring about instant change, and it will be so easy, a “simple walk in the park”.
When the confirmation came to my heart, the Lord also clearly warned me, that there was a price to be paid, it would take considerable time, and it would really cost me so much. I immediately put out a prayer request because I was not sure I could fulfil my part, and needed ALL THE HELP I COULD GET. I also believe I saw the Lord interceding for me as well.
It is now 3+weeks since I began on this journey, and it isn’t easy, but I am aware that people are praying for me (please don’t stop), and I can say with the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 19:9 NKJV “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Jeremiah the Prophet, knew it was not easy to do the will of God, he declared in Jeremiah 42:6 NKJV Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God.” I love the what the MESSAGE Bible says Whether we like it or not, we’ll do it. We’ll obey whatever our God tells us. Yes, count on us. We’ll do it.”
Jeremiah tells us is not always easy, nor always enjoyable to do the will of God, but the eternal benefits are beyond description.
We know Jonah the Prophet was told by God to go to Nineveh, this displeased him, so he went off in the opposite direction and ended up in the belly of a big fish, I am so glad the word of the Lord “came a second time” and Jonah obeyed and the result of doing the will of God a whole city repented.
Jesus knew from eternity past he had to die an ignominious death on a cross and take upon Himself the sins of the whole word, and the wrath of God the Father to deal with the sin question, once and for all. We know Jesus prayed in the garden, “Lord take this cup from me, but not my will but thine be done”. It was sure and painful and devastating and unpleasant for Jesus to do the will of God, but He did, and we are sure grateful for that.
We know life is often filled with trials and testings, that people say and do bad things to us, but Paul tells us in 1 Thess. 5:18 NKJV IN EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you. That sure isn’t easy is it? so often situations we go through cannot be justified, but it is God’s will that IN EVERYTHING (at all times without exception) we give thanks. The AMP N.T. says Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].The MESSAGE Bible says Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
So doing the will of God is not always easy, Jeremiah says it can be unpleasant, but thank God for His grace, for the only place to be in in the centre of God’s will amen.
