In part 2 of this series we looked at some of the objectives of God’s will for our life; what’s important to God. This time let’s look at some of the ways He has provided for us to find His will.

By The Word

Ps 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. 

By placing the Word of God in our heart it becomes the foundation upon which we conduct our lives. When we have the Word operating in love we can be assured that our footsteps are going to be sure. We will be walking in His will as the Psalmist said: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart (Ps 40:8). Our footsteps (goings) will be sure, steady and prosperous. His will is always steady, sure and involves our becoming more holy. It works this way … we become holy in proportion to the Word of God in our heart. It is our heart that dictates to our eyes, mouth, hands and feet.

Ps 119:9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

By Asking

Jas 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 

How many times have we heard verse 5 quoted with great authority? After all, doesn’t God tell us that if we want wisdom we should ask Him for it? The problem is, however, that it isn’t complete without mixing the faith required in verse 6. If we don’t we will certainly end up like the man in verse 7 who received nothing. The faith required here is STRONG FAITH; nothing wavering — no doubt.

James was talking about trials in the previous verses and now here he tells us that if we don’t understand the purpose of those trials we should ask God. Sometimes we just need to ask for what utter purpose is this happening to me? James tells us that God will give us the practical insight we need to understand and grow in the trial. However, we must come in strong faith and be willing to want what we ask for. Sometimes the answer to our question opens doors to places we don’t want to go.

The word “liberally” as used in this context means “simply,” and when combined with “upbraideth not,” it means the giving of pure simple good without evil. We can ascertain God’s will in all circumstances if we will just ask Him with the kind of faith that expects an answer. We aren’t to come like a wave that builds up and then falls away or is tossed about by the force of the wind. If we do we can expect to hear nothing in the midst of our trial.

Sea trials for a ship in the Navy are designed to reveal any defects or weaknesses in the ship. When they are discovered the naval architect is addressed to determine the cause and cure for the problem. God uses trials in our lives for the very same purpose; to reveal weakness. In that moment when we are perplexed and confused He wants us to ask Him. It’s a privilege that Jesus paid for. We can be sure that if we ask in the proper manner God will give us the wisdom necessary. And what is the proper manner? But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering!

By Walking In The Light

Ps 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  

Ps 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. 

In verse 105 the word lamp (candle) refers to the specific Word of God for our present circumstances. It illuminates the exact area in which our feet are standing and is provided to keep us from stumbling in the dark as we move along the way. It lights up those things that would otherwise be unseen obstacles.

The word as a light (bright clear or morning sun) speaks to the entire Word of God for our life’s path. It aids us in determining which crossroad to follow and path to take (2Pet 1:19). This distinction between a lamp and a light is seen in Prov 6:23:

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

We will have our path illuminated and obtain understanding through His Word. The path that we need to have illuminated is His will for each one of us. When His Word enters our life it brings with it light which shows us that path. Above all we should keep our lamps filled with oil (the Holy Spirit) to insure that the flame doesn’t flicker and dim.

In verse 130 we see that it is the Word entering into us that generates the light. That light is the revelation of the Holy Spirit. He always brings understanding of the Word of God and how it is to be applied to our lives. The Septuagint translates this verse as: the manifestation of thy words enlightens. Martin Luther puts it this way: when thy word is revealed, so it delivers us, and makes the simple wise. In either case we know who it is that “manifests” and “reveals.” The entrance or opening spoken of here is the gateway to the mind for that revelation. In other words, the Holy Spirit brings light to our minds by revelation of the Word of God, through which we who are simple (easily seduced) gain discernment and wisdom. How will we know the true from the false without it? Finally look at the literal Hebrew thought contained in this verse: the opening of the eyes of the soul caused by the entering of the Word of God. 

By Having Patience 

Ps 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

In verse 4 the Psalmist refers to God’s ways to keep us from temptation and danger. He wants God to show him the path that will insure he keeps those ways. He desires the Spirit of God to lead him by the Word of God. In accomplishing this he is willing to wait all the day. Look at the definition of the word to wait:

Qavah: a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; to expect: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait

Another way to say it is that he gathers together the entire day in God. This idea of “binding together” is used twice in Ps 27:14: Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. It is God’s will that we look to Him for our plans for the entire day. We shouldn’t move in haste but patiently wait for His timing in all things. Isn’t that really a good definition of His perfect will?

Whenever I think about waiting I remember in Exodus 14 when the Israelites were between the proverbial rock and a hard place. They had Pharaoh’s army on one side and the Red Sea on the other. Let’s take a little trip back in time and read the description of this event (Ex 14:9-31):

10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.   

I have taken the liberty to underline several phrases in this passage to make my point. In the first section we see the circumstances that caused their fear. In the second we see the immediate response of the man of God. He tells them to stand still and wait on God’s deliverance from their circumstances. Before he even asks God he boldly states that the Lord will fight for them and their part is to stand still and hold their peace. God doesn’t waste time in acting but the children of Israel still had some waiting to do.

Can you imagine the appearance of that cloud to hide Israel’s presence from Pharaoh while providing light to Israel’s camp? Then to see God part the waters at Moses command!  But most readers miss the importance of verses 20 and 21 and these verses speak volumes. They didn’t immediately go through the Red Sea. They had to sit there all night with a cloud on one side and a raging wind holding the waters apart on the other. Can you imagine what a night that must have been?

God had taken His action but there were things to be accomplished like drying up the bottom of the sea so they wouldn’t sink in the mud. While they may have been very uncomfortable knowing that the army was just on the other side of the cloud they were required to wait. How many times have we asked God to deliver us from our circumstances but then lost heart when it didn’t happen the way or in the time we envisioned. Instead of focusing on the drying sea floor (our answer) we focus on the chariots of Pharaoh (our circumstances). Israel saw God working with their eyes but many times we can only see His hand by faith. There is no visible cloud or parted sea to behold, but there is always His peace for those whose mind is stayed on thee (Isa 26:3) and this will most likely require patience on our part.

In Part 4 we’ll look two additional elements and see if we can get an answer to the question: “How do you know that you know?”

All heaven is waiting to help those who will discover the will of God and do it. J. Robert Ashcroft