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Monday, October 27, 2008

How to Ascertain the Will of God

by George Müller

I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.

Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

2 comments:

Miss Melissa said...

Wow.. that is so very true! Thanks for posting this Britt. I love it. :-) Its great to see, how in situations in my life i know for sure that it was the will of God, because i did exactly that. :-) What a comfort and joy to know! :)

Love
Melissa

Jenna said...

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:104-105

The author makes some good points - thank you for the reminder that the Scriptures are what points to God's will (along with prayer and reflection, as mentioned!).

We are so much better off doing God's will and not our own, as Christ so perfectly demonstrated for us! It's a challenge, but definitely for our ultimate good to seek the will of God. If we have found ourselves being deluded in doing something other than God's will, our Heavenly Father usually shows us that we have turned a wrong direction and brings us back to His way, if we allow Him to be our Guide.

Thank you again for posting this. :) Have a wonderful day!