Day 17

“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

To discern God’s personal will for us, we first need to know God’s general will for all. There are four statements in Scripture that are explicitly stated to be His will for us. Firstly, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Paul writes, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” Some translations use the word ‘holy’. The particular context concerns sexual immorality, and Paul states it is God’s will that we control our bodies in a way that is holy and honourable.

We cannot engage in, much less justify, sexual immorality of any kind if we want to partake in God’s personal will for us.

Secondly, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Giving thanks is not just being polite; it is expressing dependence upon God. ‘All circumstances’ includes difficult times in which we acknowledge that Jesus is sufficient for us - and give thanks for that. A genuine mark of people living in the will of God is that “... for it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.” The principle of authority is God ordained and the will of God functions within submission to authority. There may be times when we are called to obey God rather than men, but when we do so, we must also be willing to take the consequences which governing authority imposes. So if we go to jail for doing the right thing, don’t complain, just submit. Paul never complained in any of his jail mail. Fourthly, 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good.” Suffering is part of life and is within the will of God for us. When we continue to do good in suffering, the outcome is always for the advancement of God’s agenda for our lives and His purpose in this world.

Being holy, giving thanks in all circumstances, submitting to authority and in suffering continuing to do good, is God’s general will for all of us. It will help us find His perfect and pleasing will for our personal life!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to abide in your will at all times. forgive me when I fail to give you thanks, especially when times are tough. I know your presence is sufficient for my needs. thank you, Lord.

To reflect upon: In which of these four areas do I have the most difficulty in keeping God’s will, and why? Am I always mindful of the Lord’s presence and thankful to Him in every situation I find myself in, good or bad, and especially in suffering?