Rejoicing & The Will of God

PRAYER AND THE WILL OF GOD

PART FIVE IN A SERIES ON SEEKING GOD’S WILL

SEEKING GOD’S WILL

Matthew 6:9-13, “. . . Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Three Tim bits to get us warmed up to this important subject:

God’s will is sweet – but the working out of it in my life brings quite a variety of experiences (Matthew 6:10 – “Thy will be done”).

My will is strong and must be conformed to God’s will (Romans 12:1-2 – living sacrifice).

My strong will becomes God’s will through taking up crosses and drinking deep cups – there is no other way (Luke 22:39-46).

SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE OLD COVENANT

Everyone who knows God always wants to know what He is doing and what He wants done.

Everyone from all the different eras of history has people who seek the Living God and they want to know His Will.

Don’t insist on signs; rejoice when one is given.

PRINCIPLES FOR SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE OLD COVENANT

The Lord is always at work in the affairs of mankind – this is His Will for the nations (Exodus 18:1).

The Lord is always at work in the lives of people – this is His Will for our families (Exodus 18:2-8).

The Lord is always being worshiped by the people – this is His Will for his family (Exodus 18:9-12).

The Lord is always desiring to lead His people – This is why we seek His will for our lives (Exodus 18:13-27).

“Lord your leading me with a cloud by day and then in the night the glow of a burning flame . . . and everywhere I go I see you.”

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR SEEKING GOD’S WILL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

In everything give thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Key: Remember God! Don’t forget God! This makes us thankful in all circumstances.

Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).

Let’s say the Lord’s prayer together as found in Matthew 6:9-13.

Is there anyone here who prayed this prayer before they were born again?

Is there anyone here who would be brave enough to raise their hand and let me know that?

Can we pray the Lord’s prayer and not really know God’s will or even really want God’s will?

“Pray without ceasing” is the command . . . similar to always giving thanks – that is the goal, but let’s back that wagon up a little and concentrate on praying for God’s will.

When done in fellowship with the Living God, we will learn to continually do this praying.

TWO QUESTIONS (POSSIBLY TRICKY QUESTIONS):

Will God always answer when people call on Him? No.

Clear warning of Scripture:

Proverbs 1:20-33, “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me” (vs. 28).

Fulfilled in the history of Israel:

Jeremiah 8:20 – “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.”

Jeremiah 10:23 – “I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

Jeremiah 11:14 – “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of distress.”

We will be careful about presumptuous prayer.

But I thought this was an age of grace.

Be glad it is . . . although I like to call it the age of the church because we may misunderstand what we mean when we say this is an age of grace.

Some mistakenly think that Almighty God is sort of naïve or a pushover when it comes to my rebellion and sin.

We know He is not.

He forgives sin that is confessed.

He forgives contrite people – he rebukes and even laughs at haughty and presumptuous people.

Remember Jesus’ illustration in Luke 18:9-14?

TWO QUESTIONS (POSSIBLY TRICKY QUESTIONS):

Will God always answer when humbled people call on Him? Yes.

Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble”.

Humbled Israelites - II Chronicles 7:13-16

Humbled Gentiles - Jonah 3

Humbled unbelieving King of Israel - I Kings 21:17-28, “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself be me?” (vs. 29).

Humbled believing King of Israel - Psalm 51 - “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (vs. 17).

This is also true of living sacrifices of Romans 12:1-2.

James 3:13 – 4:10 (quotes Proverbs 3:34)

I Peter 5:5-10 (quotes Proverbs 3:34)

TWO QUESTIONS (POSSIBLY TRICKY QUESTIONS):

Will God always answer when people call on Him? No.

Proverbs 1:20-33, “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me” (vs. 28).

Will God always answer when humbled people call on Him? Yes.

Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble”.

First key in NT application: Remember God (Don’t forget God) . . . this helps us to be thankful in all circumstances . . . for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Second key in NT application: Humbly Pray (do this continually) . . . for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.