Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2, ESV
We give God praise, because He made us. We may have rebelled from Him, but He does not leave us to fend for ourselves. He helps us grow in knowledge and relationship with Him.
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.
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.
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.