Thy Will

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:41-42 (NKJV)

I have been playing with my two granddaughters Hope and Esther recently, and I have been tremendously blessed. Hope is just over 2 years of age, and Esther is just shy of 2, and so the two of them are really beginning to know what they want, and they are learning how to communicate this very well, as they don’t always agree with their parents' decisions. I know all children are this way at some point, as they need to learn how to surrender their will and submit to their parents' will.

This lesson of surrendering one's will might start early in life, but it is a lifelong process. The fact is we should all be continually learning and perfecting what we know to be right, and surrendering our will is one of those lessons we continually fight with. Now, surrendering our will when it comes to dinner might not be so tough, but dropping our personal desires to do what is best for others can often be challenging.

I have found this decision of surrendering my will to be essential for my Christian walk. Instead of looking at what I want, I am trying to ask God what He wants. This shouldn’t just be for the big decisions either, but for every decision we make. Jesus modeled this behavior perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane by asking His Father to take the cup of suffering He was to experience on the cross from Him, yet He finished with request with, “nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Shouldn’t our requests for our needs and wants be done in the same heart and manner?

Q: How can we truly have a peace about laying down our will, especially when our desires are for good things, such as a healing, albeit from an injury, sickness, or relationship?

We can trust God is always doing what is best for us, and He will continue to do what is best for us until we finish our time here on Earth. We can do this because we know God—in His sovereignty—is working all things together for good for those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

I want to encourage you to meditate upon these things today. Let’s choose to surrender our will unto our Lord. Let’s trust Him with every aspect of our life.

STUDY QUESTION: According to Proverbs 3:5-6 what must we do so God will direct our paths?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you faithfully trusting in God to protect, provide, and guide your paths?

APPLICATION: Let’s choose to acknowledge God’s will when making our decisions. Let’s trust in His guidance and leading.