CONFIDENT IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Hebrews 10: 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

1 John 2: 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

By Dr. Robert Jeffress

You – or someone you love – may be facing a life decision right now. How can you know what God’s will is for the particular situation you’re facing?

You’ve read the Bible. You’ve prayed. You’ve sought wise counsel, and you sense that God is leading you to a specific decision. You’re ready to take that step … but you have the nagging feeling:

• What if I’m wrong?
• What if this decision is a mistake?
• What if it’s not God’s leading but my desires?
• What if I fail?

I want to assure you that underneath your decisions, your circumstances, and even your mistakes is a safety net called the sovereignty of God.

God has a plan for your life, and He will accomplish that plan (Phil 1:6). Paul put it this way in Ephesians 1:11: “[God] works all things after the counsel of His will.” That means the selection of presidents is under God’s control (Daniel 2:21). The change of seasons is under His control (Psalm 104:19). Even the roll of the dice is under God’s control (Proverbs 16:33).

Proverbs 20:24 says, “Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord.” Think about that: Every step you and I take has been ordained by God. It gives us great comfort to know that Someone wiser and more powerful is in control over every area of our lives.

What are some benefits of God’s sovereignty, especially when we make decisions?

• First of all, the sovereignty of God gives us peace from the past. In Romans 8:28, Paul said, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” God uses all things – the good, the bad, and the ugly – in our lives to accomplish His purpose. In fact, it’s often in our failures that God is most glorified. The sovereignty of God gives us peace about our past mistakes.
• Next, the sovereignty of God offers us comfort for the present. In Matthew 14, Jesus told His disciples to sail across the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, a fierce storm came. Jesus appeared, and Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (v.28). The Lord said, “Come!” (v.29). So Peter claimbed out of the the boat. He was doing well, as long as he looked at the Lord. Then he saw the wind and began to sink. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” (v. 30). How did Jesus answer? “immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him….When they got into the boat, the wind stopped” (vs. 31-32).
  
  Notice that Jesus didn’t first calm the storm and help Peter into the boat across smooth waters. Instead, He immediately took hold of Peter, and they walked through the storm together. Many times, you and I are sailing through life when, suddenly, we find ourselves in a fierce storm of circumstances. We cry out, “Lord, save me!” In my experience, rarely does God instantly calm the storm; rather, He takes hold of us and walks with us through the storm. God allows us to go through life’s storms to produce faith: the assurance that He is in control even when we don’t see Him.
• Finally, the sovereignty of God gives us confidence for the future. Daniel 11:32 says, “The people who know their God will display strength and take action”. When you’ve sought God’s will and feel that He is leading you in a decision, you don’t have to worry. The Bible says, if you know God, you can be strong and take action, confident that your every choice, even your every mistake, is protected by the sovereignty of God. What a great comfort that is to us!

We have a Shepherd who cares for us, watches over us, and orders our every step. Even when we wander away form Him, our movement is within the boundaries of His love and His perfect will. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28). What words of comfort for those who truly seek to know and follow the Master’s voice!

Dr. Robert Jeffress