“‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.’” -- Jeremiah 29:11
I think one of the biggest struggles we face as Christians is figuring out God’s will for our lives. Wanting to be in God’s will is a good thing, so don’t get discouraged when you aren’t sure what to do. If you’re struggling or confused, I’d like to tell you something that can change your life: You have Someone living inside of you Who knows the will of God for your life.
The will of God comes in two forms: the general will and the specific will. The Bible gives us God’s general will. It tells us stealing and lying is wrong and how to honor our parents and treat our spouses. However, if you want to know who you should marry or whether or not you should take a job, that’s the specific will of God, and that only comes through the Holy Spirit.
So how do you know the specific will of God? Well, we know His specific will by His voice, which is the Holy Spirit. Before God sent the Holy Spirit 2,000 years ago, entire generations of people lived with only one person hearing God for everyone. Can you imagine how hard it was to seek God’s specific will then? But today, we’re living in an incredible time because we’re able to hear the Holy Spirit speak to us personally. Remember what Jesus said in John 16:13: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” The Holy Spirit speaks to us today!
God has a specific will for your life, and you can know what that is when you get to know the Holy Spirit and open your heart to hear His voice.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, I’m so thankful You live inside me and can guide me in God’s will for my life. I open my heart to Your voice and Your plan for me. Speak to me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
- Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:15–16; 1 Timothy 2:3–4; Hebrews 10:36
Taken from The God I Never Knew, a Gateway devotion.
