Identity Embrace: Seeking God's Will [Part I}

Ask yourself honestly: When situations arise that demand a course of action, do you take it the Lord immediately?

 

Or do you stew within yourself, ultimately deciding what is good for you, acting according to what you deem "best"?

The latter question applied to the nation of Judah during the time of the prophet Isaiah. They were a nation at war, and instead of taking their plight to God--Wisdom, Himself--they decided to go to Egypt for military aid.

Isaiah knew that God was not happy with their choice to be self-sufficient and altogether wise within themselves (Isaiah 30):

8 Now go and write down these words.
Write them in a book.
They will stand until the end of time
as a witness
9 that these people are stubborn rebels
who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.
10 They tell the seers,
"Stop seeing visions!"
They tell the prophets,
"Don’t tell us what is right.
Tell us nice things.
Tell us lies.
11 Forget all this gloom.
Get off your narrow path.
Stop telling us about your
‘Holy One of Israel.’"

See? God calls Judah "stubborn rebels who refuse to pay any attention" to Him. Does this not stop you in your tracks, making you ask yourself, "How do I handle the will of God? Am I a stubborn rebel, too?"

Today, we see our identity as God's children clearly through this passage: God knows what is best for us. His will is what we should seek first and foremost during times of questioning, trial or change of circumstance.

God is not full of confusion; He is full of peace. He longs for you to ask Him what He wants, in any situation in your life! He yearns to give you the precious gift of His Presence and direction.

God knows best. He created you! God's will--not yours--is best for your life.

Next week, we will look at the consequences of not seeking God's will, as well as what seeking God's will looks like, according to Isaiah 30.

Where is your direction found? What is most difficult about surrendering to God's will?