Posts Tagged ‘ Will ’

Advent 2022 – Day 12: Isaiah 40:13-14

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40:13-14, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

Sin is rebellion against the character of God.

And we think we can tell God what is good? What justice and goodness are? That we know better what God’s character and will are?

Who do we think we are? Why do we think we understand God’s creation and character better than He does when He has revealed it through HisbWord by His prophets and apostles?

And this is what the prophets, including John the Baptist, were telling us.

“Repent! Stop your foolish thinking, and turn from your sin! The kingdom of God is at hand, and you think you can judge your Creator? Prepare for His coming, now!”

But we still try to justify our sin, correct God on His justice, and fix His revelation.

Yet, God came to us, showing us the depth of our misunderstanding of sin, revealing His character in person, and taking on Himself the justice we deserved.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to the Word and trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Christ to us.

May we seek the Lord who took on the just punishment we deserved, preparing ourselves by seeking His revelation.

VerseD: Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21, ESV

We try to run our own lives, but God has an ultimate plan. Trust in His plan, in Him.

VerseD: Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16, ESV

We want to do our own thing, but God draws is into His will and plan by His Holy Spirit indwelling and guiding us.

VerseD: Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3, ESV

Do not read this as “Make sure God is invoked in your work so that your plans work out.”

Start your plans by seeking God’s will, work diligently and faithfully with the help of God, and find success on God’s terms, not necessarily your own.

VerseD: Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord , Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
Psalms 37:5, NASB

This is not simply a “Lord, bless what I am doing” thing. Our desires and plans should be aligning with God’s. As our wills align, He will do it, because it is already His will.

VerseD: Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3, NASB

God is not a magic genie that will grant our wishes.

Rather, we should be so desirous of the Lord that our plans are essentially His. How can we fail of our will is matched to His?