The Road to Perfection Part II: Knowing the Will of God

“Who can really know the will of God?” 

“Well, I guess it was God’s will to take them home early.” 

“If it feels right in your heart, then it must be God’s will.”

I know I’ve heard someone say something like this.  You know you’ve heard someone say something like this.  I know you know you’ve heard someone say something like this.  Maybe it is a quote from a touching scene in a movie.  Maybe it was your best friend trying to give you advice after something tragic happened.  Perhaps you overheard someone saying it in a conversation you were “trying” not to listen to.  I’m not going to lie to you friends, it sounds profound and, even, poetic when you hear it – until you realize that is indeed a bunch garbage.  Go right ahead and toss it in the trash because you know that didn’t help you cope with anything anyway.  So, let’s discuss a little bit about knowing the will of God.  We will only scratch the surface on this topic today, but I think it’s important to start thinking differently.  Let’s begin with John 3:16-17:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The story always starts with Jesus in the greatest love story you could ever read about.  Even before the beginning of time, God knew He would sacrifice His only Son to save a creation that had turned its back on Him and restore our power and authority over the enemy.  Luke 10:19 says:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

So, when you’re lying in bed sick, wondering if it is God’s will for you to recover, the answer is always yes!  “Ana, how could you know that?!”  The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

With his stripes, we are already healed.  That is our covenant with the Lord.  He certainly did not shed His blood for nothing.  His wounds, His bruises, His deep lacerations were so we do not have to suffer.  Not only did He save us from eternal condemnation, but He saved us from having to suffer by the hand of the enemy on earth.  There is so much power in these scriptures and many of us, including myself, will forget them in a moment of turbulence in our lives.  This covenant is not for a select few people.  It is for every one that accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  This is your benefit package friends.  No one can take it away from you.

“Well, why did I get sick in the first place?” 

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” 

These are good questions.  John 10:10 says:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that life they might have it more abundantly.

You must remember that there is an enemy that seeks to destroy you.  That’s why 1 Peter 5:8 says that we must “be vigilant” because the enemy is walking around looking for “whom he may devour”.  We are constantly at war against evil.  It exists.  There will be struggles in our lives, but it is nothing that we cannot overcome.  We also must live a lifestyle of holiness, obedience and consecration.  We can’t just do what the world is doing and expect that doors will not be opened for the enemy to come into our lives and mess with us.  The more we spend time with God, the more we become spiritually-minded and aware of the enemy’s attacks.

Let me tell you a quick story.  The other day, I was taking a nap and, all of a sudden, I literally felt something crawling onto my bed in the midst of my sleep.  My dog was not in the room with me at the time, so I already knew something was up.  My Spidey senses were tingling.  In my dreams, things turned dark and whatever was in my bed, tried to paralyze me with fear and keep me from saying “Jesus”.  How do I know?  It used to happen to me when I lived in a sketchy apartment in college and I used to cast them out.  The enemy was using the same playbook.  When it happened this time, I was over it.  In the midst of this twisted demonic dream, I said, “No, no, no.  You gotta go.”  Within a few seconds, I broke out of the torment and it was over.  I cast that thing out of my room in Jesus’ name.  Let me tell you something, no demon in hell is going to be allowed to hold me down in my sleep.  Jesus went to the cross and rose again so that I don’t have to deal with that garbage.  You don’t have to deal with it either.

Why am I telling you all of this?  The will of God for each of His children is to live life and life abundantly.  You do not need to suffer in the midst of darkness.  You don’t need to be confused.  2 Timothy 1:7 says that “God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  Reject what the enemy has given you and embrace what the Lord’s finished work at Calvary and resurrection gives you.  This is the will of God.  Guess what?  When you see a young person who has died tragically, that was not the will of God.  The enemy took their life.  Know that God does not steal, kill and destroy; the enemy does.  Does a young person dying tragically sound like a God that gives life abundantly?  When people say, “I guess God decided to take them,” I fully reject that.  Do not place the blame on a God that is absolutely good.

In the midst of war, you need to protect your bases and also have a plan of attack.  It is no different in spiritual warfare.  Every morning, I plead the blood of Jesus over myself, my entire family, our pets, our vehicles and our homes and I thank God for the spirit of preservation that covers us all.  I will even do it over my co-workers and friends.  I learned to do this from my pastors, Pastors Hank and Brenda Kunneman at Lord of Hosts Church.  You know what?  We have not had any kind of tragedy in my family for a long time.  I have lost a grandparent and a dog within the last few years, but in each instance, I have seen God’s grace in it.  Glory be to His name.

Sometimes it is hard to understand in a moment, what God’s will is.  It’s so easy to throw our hands up in the air and refuse to even try to understand it.  However, I think it is pertinent information for God’s people to know.  Do you remember the story of when David and his men returned to the city of Ziklag to find it burned to the ground and their wives and children were all taken captive (1 Samuel 30)?  In the midst of great distress and anger from his own people who blamed him for what happened, David encouraged himself in the Lord and proceeded to ask Him if he should pursue the enemy to overtake them.  The Lord spoke to him and told him to pursue and that they would “surely overtake them, and without fail recover all”.  David understood to first pursue the Lord before he pursued battle.  He needed to know the timing and strategy to win.  This is the example we should follow.

This is a word for you and me, my fellow believers.  Don’t be filled with garbage advice that has no Biblical wisdom or direction.  Be filled with the word of God and know that there is always a plan of redemption for you and your family.  It might take time; it might not take the form that you thought; but glory to God, there is a plan!  If you have a big decision to make, it is time to start seeking the Lord and asking for wisdom.  Do not “follow your heart”, for the Bible says in Proverbs 19:21:

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Following your heart sounds nice and all, but you and I both know it never led us anywhere good.  My heart starts beating fast for fried chicken and boba tea.  All it has brought me is weight gain and sugar highs y’all.  We don’t need to follow worldly or fleshly advice.  We follow advice rooted in the Bible knowing that God only has good plans in store for us.  Be of good cheer and be filled with hope.  You have a foolproof benefit plan.  When you are under attack from the enemy, I have learned to say, “This is not my covenant Lord.  You died and rose again so that I may have life abundantly, therefore, I reject the enemy trying to do “xyz” and I embrace Your will for my life.”  Recite your benefits package to Him starting with Isaiah 53:5.  Tell Satan he can’t have you because you serve Jesus, the Name above every name.  Start saying scripture out loud. Begin to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords.  The power of the tongue is mighty.

I hope this encouraged you today.  For whatever situation you find yourselves in, I speak the mind of Christ over you to know the will of God for your life.  May He be the lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.  May He go before you and make the crooked places straight.  We bind and break the spirits of fear and confusion on you and declare that you have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind.  You will go forth and trample over the enemy and he will by no means overtake you for no weapon form against you shall prosper.  We declare this in the Name above every name; Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen!