GOD’S WILL: KNOW, UNDERSTAND AND DO IT

Of the children of Issachar who had UNDERSTANDING of the times, to KNOW what Israel ought to DO, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command – 1 Chronicles 12:32

There are three vital responses that God expects from His children concerning His Will – His Revealed and Desired Will. These are: to KNOW, UNDERSTAND, and DO His Will. Many teachings emphasize and stop only at the level of knowing God’s Will. Let’s meditate on some scriptures relating to these three responses:

KNOW or PROVE God’s Will: this refers to discovering and distinguishing the Will of God from all else that are not His Will. Paul prayed for the Colossians: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the KNOWLEDGE of His WILL in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col.1:9). Knowing God’s Will is also described as PROVING or DISCERNING His Will: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect WILL of God” (Rom.12:2). Ephesians 5:10 says: “PROVING what is acceptable to the Lord”! May you receive grace to Know God’s Will accurately; and to discern and prove His Will beyond any shadow of doubt, in Jesus name.

UNDERSTAND God’s Will: “Therefore do not be unwise, but UNDERSTAND what the WILL of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). In seeking to Know God’s Will, we must Understand exactly what we are looking for. Many people jump out with the knowledge of His Will for their lives and still make a shipwreck of their faith, because they lacked understanding: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, GET UNDERSTANDING” (Pro.4:7). A house is built by Wisdom, but it is established by Understanding (Pro.24:3). Knowledge deals with ‘What,’ wisdom with ‘How,’ and understanding with ‘Why.’ Understanding comprehends the details, intricacies or complexity of God’s Will. 1 Chronicles 12:32 says, for you to be a Commander in Life: Understanding must always accompany Knowledge, and precede Doing!

DO, OBEY, and STAND and WALK in God’s Will: This is where “the rubber meets the road” – the Practice of God’s Will; walking in His Will. Each of the key apostles greatly valued Doing the Will of God. Paul refers to Epaphras’ prayers for the Colossians to “stand perfect and complete in ALL the WILL of GOD” (Col.4:12). Paul also exhorts servants to be obedient to their masters “DOING the will of God from the heart” (Eph.6:6). Again, “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have DONE the Will of God, you may receive the promise” (Heb.10:36). Peter admonished that the believer “no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the Will of God” (1Pet.4:2). John was not exempted: “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who DOES the Will of God abides forever” (1Jh.2:17).