God willing
You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah.
Deuteronomy 6:16 (New Living Translation)
Then the devil took Him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order His angels to protect and guard You.
And they will hold You up with their hands
so You won’t even hurt Your foot on a stone.’ ”
Luke 4:9-12 (New Living Translation)
There are circumstances in our life when we often say "if God wants this to happen, it will take place" or "God willing...." We rely that God knows what we want and He will provide us with the same. But we forget that by using the word "if" we put the Lord into test. Do we not trust our God, the creator of the entire universe? Why do we say then, "if the Lord wants.....” We, as believers must proclaim our faith through our words. We should not say "if the Lord wants..."rather say ".....yes, this will take place. My faith tells me so"
Jesus himself proclaimed in this context. Satan tried to trick Jesus' authority of Him being the Son of God. Satan told Him if He was God's son He could throw himself down a certain point of the temple that was the highest and the angels would carry Him and not let even a single stone touch His feet. By using the word 'if', Satan tried to test God's son over His authority. Jesus replied "Never put the Lord your God to test".
We, being spiritually strong lest we put God in tests in our everyday living and when we succeed, we feel our prayer's been answered and we praise Him. If otherwise, we feel God has something better in store for us or in extreme cases, we lose our hope in God. 
Its quite prominent that we being humans, having used such statements since childhood feel quite difficult to adapt ourselves to this change of trying not to use such statements. Our first reaction would be “God willing, I will stop myself”. This is our first step we need to examine. Why are we putting our God to test again? We are able enough to try and change ourselves. If we desire, we can control our speech and watch our words. This particular scenario can be utilized in many different aspects in our life.
Message for the week:
If we are intending to live by the Word, we are able enough to change ourselves. We need not depend on God and wait for Him to change us. Depending on God to change us is equivalent to putting Him to test. He has equipped us with His SPIRIT that will guide us whilst not doubting him and grow spiritually. Recite this short prayer with me, "Lord, I am willing to change myself and grow spiritually in your name. My faith will lead your Spirit to guide me that I am able to not put you into test. Help me live by the Word and change myself.”
Amen
God bless you
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I think it's great that you want live by the Word of God. Here's what I think the Word of God is saying.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about Israel's rebellion and the devil's scripture twisting is that it's not the same thing as saying 'God willing'. At Massah (Exod 17) everything the people did was profoundly unbelieving - they doubted both God's goodness and his power. They didn't believe that God was willing. The devil's statements (e.g. Matt 4) are all aimed at getting Jesus to doubt God's willingness to protect Jesus, and instead trust someone other than God. So these 2 examples are all about doubt rather than trust. Both these statements are totally different to a genuine 'if God wills'.
It's actually good to say 'God willing' (if we mean it!) and to have an attitude of faith and dependence on God. Rather than thinking or assuming that we know what's best, or spiritualise it by claiming it by faith, we should recognise that God is in control, and is committed to working for the good of those who know him and are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28).
Living with the attitude or spirit of 'if God wills' isn't about adopting some sort of lethargic fatalism (doing nothing because God's going to do whatever he wants anyway), but entrusting everything we do to God. Nor is it about using God as a convenient example for our lack of self control: 'oops, I slipped up again, must be God's fault'. We know it's God's will that we do not live serving human desires, so we need to get on and do that (1 Pet 4:2)
'If God wills/wants' enables us to live for God passionately as we use our gifts, or time, our energy and our money for him, as we recognise that we live by faith, but he is the one who is ultimately in control.
As James 4:15 points out: "What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." (This is the verse normally translated: "if it is the Lord's will")
Hope that's a helpful contribution for understanding the place of God's will in our lives.
Hey Stephen (my Brother in Christ), I do appreciate your contribution in this topic. You are right with regards to the role of God's will in our lives. I agree on every aspect that you've reflected on in your writing above. Its true, He is the one who is ultimately in control. But to be aware of those particular understandings, we need to have a strong depth in our faith for which we have to grow sincerely in Christ (which is the main aim for this blog). The lost sheep are countless, they have to be directed to their Shepherd. This blog tries to explain steps in general to come closer to the Lord, our God. In simple everyday language its showing how with modifying slight day-to-day activities, they can discover faith(discover the way to their Shepherd). On discovering, they may then chose to grow in their faith(follow the way) or become astray. It seems I tried to help lost sheep discover the way and your contribution is helping them follow the way. Thanks again for your contribution, Steve. Its much appreciated.
DeleteGod bless you
Ash
oh yes ! how at times we doubt the Word and the promises of God for us which are yes and amen in Christ. God bless ! Keep spreading the good news
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