God has a plan for each one of us, and He never leaves us by ourselves to discover it. He’s given us His word and prayer. As we study the Bible, we learn about Him. God’s word is the special revelation of His will for our lives, and as we learn it and meditate upon it we become familiar with His precepts. As we pray and draw near to His heart, the Spirit of God enlightens us.
Now, based upon your personal knowledge of God through His word and prayer, He may send subsequent things to confirm His direction in your life. He may use other people with words of wisdom or encouragement, a statement from a stranger, specific circumstances or an important event in your life, but all of these other things emerge from the authority of His word. There are some things that are clearly not God’s will: Thou shalt not have any other gods before me; thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image; remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy; thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; honor thy father and mother; thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not murder; thou not commit adultery; thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor; and thou shalt not covet.
As a young man of 21 years old, I had my plans for life, but then God saved me and changed my world view. For the first time in life, I understood that there was someone bigger than me. I had begun a new journey. As I drew near to God with my heart, He began to reveal to me special things. He called me to the Gospel ministry. As I continued to seek His face, He led me to Bible College and seminary, preparing me for pastoral ministry. Looking back on that journey, I know I did the right thing. He confirmed it every step of the way.
Israel had fallen away from the Lord, and the Midianites were invading them. They called upon the Lord for deliverance, and He would send Gideon to defeat them as “one man” (Judges 6:16). Gideon was honest with God and asked for a sign. He wanted to be sure he was hearing from the Lord. I think it’s okay to ask God for confirmation. If you think He is has revealed His plan for your life and you need assurance, tell Him how you for feel. He knows your mind anyway.
Gideon asked God for a sign, went inside and prepared a meal. He brought the meal and placed it on a rock. The Angel of the Lord extended his staff and touched the meal; a fire rose from the rock and consumed it. Gideon perceived that was indeed the Angel of the Lord, so he built an altar there and called it “The Lord is Peace.” This is the equivalent of us going before the Lord in prayer with His word in our hands to seek His face for confirmation. Here are some sample questions from my own journey:
•Am I really saved?
•Did I step over a forbidden boundary when I announced that You had called me to peach?
•Should I enroll in college, quit my job, move to Florida?
•Should I accept the call to this church?
•Should I purchase this home?
•Should I purchase this car or truck?
•Should I preach this sermon Sunday?
•Am I following after some self-centered idea, or is this Your will?
Now, as long as we know we are in the will of God, we may go forward. He controls the elements and the animals, and He even superintends over the hearts and decisions of all people. If you don’t yet know the will of God for your life, seek Him in His word and by prayer. He’ll eventually unveil your path. We perceive the will of God through study of His word, prayer and life circumstances. As with Gideon, God will coordinate the seasons and events of our lives.
Our lives are winding trails. Sometimes, the Lord illuminates the whole path, but at other times He only provides light one step at a time. So if we’re clueless about God’s will, we take each step by faith. Tomorrow will be a new day; the sun will rise; we’ll wake from sleep, and life’s decisions will press in upon us. We don’t have the luxury of commanding time to stand still; so, what are we to do? We’ll trust God. All things are from Him, through Him and to Him (Romans 11:36). Therefore, if we want to know God’s will, we study His word, pray and trust Him.
Tim Haney serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Phil Campbell.
