Discerning The Will Of God

Feature 3 – October 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Discerning The Will Of God

One of the most helpful lessons we can learn from the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land concerns the way in which they were guided by the Lord. The Bible states plainly, “According to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed” (Num. 9:20 KJV ). They did not know the way, but God did – and He was with them.

The cloud that rested above the tabernacle signified His presence by day and by night. The people’s responsibility was simply to look up and watch that symbol of God’s presence. If the cloud stayed, the camp must remain where it was; if the cloud began to move on, it was time for them to pack up and follow its leading. The time interval was never specified. They might have to remain in the same place for “two days, or a month, or a year” (v.22). It would be useless to move before the cloud did, for they would not know which direction to take! However, to stay put when the cloud moved on would be foolish because that would mean they were refusing the presence of the LORD.

Often we imagine that we know the way, but we don’t. Like the Israelites who had to check the cloud daily, we must look up to the Lord for guidance. If we are not constantly depending upon Him, we may miss His leading. Just as the LORD chose the way they were to take, we must allow Him to choose the way for us. Our will must be abandoned to His!

Letting Him Choose
For the Israelites, the guidance was not always convenient. Some locations may have seemed pleasant, but then the LORD began to move them on. At other times they could become impatient when the cloud stayed put and they wanted to move. Worst of all, perhaps, was when the cloud began to move in the night. Who would want to start packing up then!

Our hearts are no different. The Lord’s calls may not always seem convenient to us. We can display the same impatience or reluctance that the Israelites did. Obedience is the key element, learning to stay or to move as He directs – for He always knows best. The life of faith is never trouble-free, but help is never far away. It requires constant waiting on the Lord for direction. All our human plans must be “God willing.” Remember, the Israelites could not even plan for tomorrow! Are we uncertain what to do? Jesus said, “I am the Way” (Jn. 14:6). We must go with Him – and when we do we will discover that He takes care of all the details.

Some Practical Advice
For numerous Christians today, discerning the will of God seems impossible. In fact, many are not aware that God has a plan for their lives. They never think of asking Him to direct them. We may read of the journeying of the Israelites in Old Testament times and hope for such clear guidance today. The LORD went before His people as they journeyed to Canaan. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night provided them with constant direction, as Numbers 9 so clearly indicates. Sometimes we may think it was easy for them while it is difficult for us to know what to do. We all face decisions in life and want to avoid making mistakes. Does the New Testament offer us any practical help?

Many years ago I listened to Theodore Epp, the founder of the “Back To The Bible” broadcast, preaching a message on Trans World Radio. I was a young person at the time with many questions, wondering what I should do. In that program Mr. Epp offered a helpful book entitled The Perfect Will of God written by his colleague, G. Christian Weiss. I wrote to the radio station requesting a copy of the book. Not long afterward it arrived in the mail, and I began to read its pages carefully. Looking back, I have to say that this book is one of the most helpful I have ever read. Its principles have remained with me. Allow me to share some of its practical teaching with you.

The Bible makes it clear that God has a definite plan for every believer. Actually, He is far more desirous of making it known than we are of receiving and obeying it. While God earnestly desires to reveal that plan, it is possible for us to miss it. If we are saved through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must remember that we belong to Him and our concern in life should be to please Him in all things. We therefore should not be indifferent and unconcerned about the will of God.

Romans 12
The opening verses of Romans 12 provide us with three steps which must be taken if we desire the will of God for our lives. Paul wrote: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (vv.1-2). The secret of discerning God’s will for our lives can be found in these verses. Let’s consider the three necessary steps.

The first step to be taken is to surrender ourselves to the Lord. In view of God’s wonderful mercy in saving us, we ought to yield our redeemed lives to the Lord. He does not ask for a dead sacrifice but for one that is living. We must give up ourselves, our desires, our plans and our ambitions, and yield lives that are holy to the Lord. G. Christian Weiss said, “There is no way to side-step or by-pass the altar of sacrifice if you would walk in God’s court and minister in His sanctuary in accordance to His will.” 1 We must remain yielded to His will. It is not a matter of asking the Lord to reveal His will so that I may decide how much I like what He tells me to do. The choice must be left with Him.

The second step is one of separation. The Scripture quoted from Romans 12:2 states plainly, “Be not conformed to this world.” Worldly Christians cannot expect to discover the will of God for their lives. We must not love the world or be conformed to it. The world’s principles and pleasures must be deliberately and completely avoided, and we must not make worldly possessions our goal. Unless we separate ourselves from the ways of the world we will not be in a position to discover the will of God for our lives.

The final stage is spiritual-mindedness. This can be seen in the words “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (v.2). Our outlook must not be carnal but spiritual. We need to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. We must allow Him to occupy us with Christ. The Lord Jesus must fill our vision, and we must “abide” in Him as He taught His disciples in John 15:6-7.

A helpful illustration may enable us to understand these three steps. Suppose you were visiting a friend’s house and wanted to find the washroom. The friend tells you it is upstairs, and to get to it you need to climb the stairs. What would your friend say if you refused to use the staircase and started looking around the house to find some other way upstairs? He would surely think you were rather strange!

If you explained that climbing the stairs required effort he would probably tell you that it was the easiest way! Likewise, if we want to rise to that higher plane of knowing the will of God we must take these three simple steps. We must surrender our lives completely to the Lord and to His will; we must separate ourselves from the corruption of this world; and we must have spiritually-renewed minds. These steps are essential in order to discern the will of God for our lives.

Three Green Lights
When these three steps have been taken, how can we expect God to guide us? There are at least three sources of guidance which help to enlighten our pathway. The first of these is the Word of God. The psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). We must read His Word carefully and prayerfully, examining our plans in the light of its truth. It is certainly true that “there can never be any guidance contrary to the Word; there will seldom be guidance apart from the Word.” 2

The second source of guidance is the Holy Spirit. We are told in Romans 8:14 that He leads the children of God. The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers. He delights to direct our lives and give assurance to our hearts.

There is a third source of guidance which we must consider too: God can use circumstances to direct the lives of His children. Sometimes He may open a door of opportunity in response to an earnest prayer, while at other times a door may remain firmly closed. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD” (Ps. 37:23). Although circumstances in themselves are not an infallible guide, God can direct the events and circumstances of our lives.

A story is told of the time when the preacher F. B. Meyer was on a ship entering a narrow harbor one very dark night. The preacher wondered how the captain could know he was entering the harbor safely. The captain pointed to three green lights which, when they were correctly aligned, guided the ship safely into the port. In just the same way, when the teaching of the Word of God, the inward witness of the Holy Spirit and outward circumstances are in harmony, we can be convinced that we are acting in accordance with the will of God.

The will of God is described as “good, and acceptable, and perfect” in Romans 12:2. We will not be disappointed if we seek it and submit to it. This is a very important subject and the theme of many books. Space here does not allow the subject to be explored completely, but the steps outlined can help anyone who genuinely wants to discover the will of God.

“I Being In The Way”
I feel that one of the loveliest chapters in the Old Testament is Genesis 24. It can be considered in a number of different ways – containing, as it does, both practical and typical teaching. In this chapter we have a helpful and illuminating illustration of guidance as we see how God controlled and directed the path of one of His servants of old.

Abraham sent an unnamed servant on an important mission to secure a wife for his son Isaac. The servant traveled to Mesopotamia and, stopping by a well, prayed a very earnest and specific prayer for God’s clear direction. He had hardly made his petition before Rebekah arrived and appeared to fulfill all the requirements that he had expressed in prayer. As he conversed with her he learned of her background and family, and he instantly perceived that the LORD had provided her as the bride for Isaac. At once the servant bowed his head and worshiped the LORD, gratefully declaring that He had led him “in the way” (v.27).

Necessary Conditions
Are we “in the way,” or are we “in the way”? Herein lies a paradox. Sometimes we can get “in the way” of the Lord, making it difficult – if not impossible – for Him to guide us. Selfishness, worldliness, undue haste, sin – all of these can prevent divine guidance. Like Abraham’s servant we must be “in the way” – that is, surrendered and ready for the Lord to direct us. As we have seen, His Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Ps. 119:105). Through the Scriptures He can say to us, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21). An old hymn reminds us to “take time to be holy” and “run not before Him whatever betide.” 3

The Lord will guide those who are meek and who humbly and earnestly look to Him in faith and dependence, seeking His absolute control over the affairs of their lives. We must trust in Him wholeheartedly, abandoning our own wisdom. His Word assures us that as we fully trust the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6). Fanny Crosby’s (1820–1915) beautiful hymn “All The Way My Savior Leads Me” concludes with the words, “Jesus led me all the way.” This is the pathway of true satisfaction that we need to find. How wonderful to experience that divine guidance so we may also be able to look back and say like Abraham’s servant, “I being in the way, the LORD led me.”

ENDNOTES
1. G.C. Weiss, The Perfect Will Of God (The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, 1950), p.49.
2. Ibid, p.80
3. “Take Time To Be Holy,” by W.D. Longstaff (1822–1894).

By Martin Girard; adapted by permission from Skyway Messages.

All The Way My Savior Leads Me
All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me, oh, the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way;This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.—Fanny Crosby (1820–1915), verses 1 and 3.