Lord's Day 48

Devotion

What is the will of God for my life? As a pastor I have been asked this question countless times, and every time I believe my answer is as frustrating as the question itself: “I don’t know.” If you’re asking whether or not the person you’re dating is the one you should marry, if it’s God’s will for you to turn left or turn right, or what God’s plan is for your future, I will remind you that I am a pastor, not a fortune teller, and that quest for such knowledge is a fool’s errand.

It is important for us to remember that there is what is known as God’s Hidden Will. By His sovereign will, God rules and reigns over all things, His will can never be frustrated. What God, in His wisdom and goodness, has determined to happen will come to pass, and nothing can happen that is beyond God’s control. His wisdom is beyond our wisdom, His understanding is beyond measure (Ps 147:5).

At the same times, Scripture does reveal to us God’s Preceptive Will. As R.C. Sproul writes in Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, “God reveals his will through His holy law. For example, it is the will of God that we do not steal; that we love our enemies; that we repent; that we be holy. This aspect of God’s will is revealed in His Word as well as in our conscience, by which God has written His moral law upon our heart.” The will of God was clearly expressed when Jesus said to his disciples, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” John 15:12. A faithful and honest reading of Scripture will clearly reveal God’s preceptive will for our lives.

The third petition of our Lord’s Prayer teaches us not to inquire into the hidden or secretive will of God, but that God would write His law upon our hearts. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are prone to rebel against God's word and will, and Christ teaches us to pray that God would remove our blind and wandering hearts, and make us, with humility and cheerfulness, willing to know, obey, and submit to His will in all things.

Prayer

Almighty God, we know that we are strong willed and stubborn, choosing the things of this world over the blessings of your kingdom. Still, you call to us, and you make us your own. By your Holy Spirit, wean us from the things of this world, and teach us your holy ways, that we might walk in humility and in joy before you, obeying you on earth as the angels to in heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Question 103

Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven,” we pray, that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.

Scripture Proofs

Matt. 6:10;

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Ps. 67;

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.

God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Ps. 119:36;

Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

Matt. 26:39;

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

2 Sam. 15:25;

Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place.

Job 1:21;

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Ps. 103:20-21.

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

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