By Chris WittsFriday 10 May 2013Morning Devotions with Chris WittsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
“Can I really know the will of God? Can know whom to marry? Can I know what job to accept? Should I sell my house and move into an apartment? How should I raise my children? Should I move to another part of the country? Is God interested in these matters? Can I really know the will of God?”
The answers to such questions are an emphatic yes. It is possible to know the will of God. You can live with confidence that you are in the centre of His special care. This affirmation is based on the presupposition of a personal God,who is in you and is able to give you personal direction.
Some of the decisions that we face in life are quite clear-cut. The Bible often gives definite direction concerning the will of God. We need not fret introspectively,wondering what God’s will is on a particular matter,if God has revealed His will in the Bible. Of course,this implies that you are reading the Bible to know God’s will on these clear-cut matters.
There are two little guidelines that can be of great help to you as you confront “clear-cut” situations. First,never seek God’s leading on an act or attitude which is forbidden in the Bible. In other words,never ask God if it’s right to do something which He has clearly said is wrong. Second,never seek God’s leading as an act or an attitude that is commanded in the Scriptures. There are certain specifics,certain clear-cut directions from the Lord concerning what He would have us do or not do. Don’t waste your time trying to figure out what God’s will is in those matters that He has revealed so clearly in His Word.
Unfortunately,not all situations we face in life are clear-cut. There are some neutral situations on which the Bible really doesn’t speak out at all. When you come to these neutral situations,go right ahead and do the obvious.
There are also situations that are too large to view as neutral,average,every-day situations. You are offered distinct choices. A great deal is at stake in your decision. There are clear-cut alternatives and you are in a major dilemma,wondering what you should do. In these dilemma situations we are lacking something. Our lack is wisdom,the insight,the knowledge,the ability to know what God would have us do. In the Book of James we read: “If any of you lacks wisdom,he should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault,and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 NIV). What an enormous promise! God promises that if you will seek His wisdom,perhaps when you least expect it the balanced scales will be tipped,and you will find God’s direction for your life.
How does God give us His wisdom? He does it through at least five guiding lights. It’s as if you are trying to pilot a ship into a harbour. There is a narrow channel. Its pitch black. You need harbour lights or channel lights. You can wreck your boat if you pilot by the seat of your pants. You can get into the harbour safely if you line up the channel lights.
The five lights to guide you into the safe harbour of God’s will are: The Scriptures,outward circumstances,counsel of friends,prayer,inner feelings.
Most of us want to put our trust in a blueprint instead of putting our trust in the architect. You won’t always have a set of plans,but you can live in the confidence that the Architect of your life is interested in you and is worthy of your personal trust. So,by asking for God’s wisdom,we can rest assured that we can really know the will of God.