Will, Want, and Wisdom.

Scriptural Readings: Luke 18:22-24; I Samuel 16:7; James 1:5

Are we still struggling to know between God’s will and what we want? Why are we confused and uncertain about this matter? A question perhaps most Christians have. If the answer is yes, then we need a lot of things to seek from God. We have lost the precious time given just for Him, and we have to make up for it as soon as possible and fast. 

Luke 18:22-24

King James Version

v.22  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

v.23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

v.24  And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

New Living translation

v.22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

v.23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

v.24  When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Want

Thinking ahead is saying to God I know what to do, and if something goes wrong, this is the time we ask Him for help. Isn’t an old habit? We might know this or not, but we are trying to persevere and justify our wants rather than God’s will for us, and this is what exactly we want. The attitude of my will is foremost than God’s will. Most of our wants would likely be ending up in worldly pleasures. That is why we must be sure what is God’s will and not ours. For the love of money is the root of all evil (I timothy 6:10).

God does not hate rich people. God warns rich people. God gives us riches in life for one reason, and that is for His disposal. Once our love for God is transferred to the material things, this is where troubles come in. For sure, this will slow down, or otherwise, stunted spiritual growth. We have to get rid of this thing. We came nothing in this world, and when we die, we will leave everything in this world. 

It will all start within our minds, making decisions. God supplies everything, the things we lack, maintain the things we have or increase because God has something for us to do, and sometimes we have many things we do not need and are not happy with them. We have the choice of having a little of something, or perhaps, enough of anything, and maybe, so much of everything because of our free will. Remember, there are only 2 options: either we choose the right thing or the wrong thing. To glorify God is the right thing, and to continue with our ways is wrong.

I Samuel 16:7

King James Version

v.7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth;4 for man looketh4 on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

New Living translation

v.7  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Will

God sees us from top to bottom and from the inside out. He perceives exactly the things to do with all our concerns. The first thing to do is to ask Him what things we need and what we don’t. We always ask amiss. We must not worry. Remember that God supplies all our needs through Jesus Christ. However, it does not mean what we want now will not be needed in the future. God will always tell us what we need and what we must do precisely and in order. His will for us is always divine. This is His will and should be done.

James 1:5

King James Version

v.5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

New Living translation

v.5  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 

Wisdom

Still, having difficulties with will and want? We need God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom ends our confusion. His wisdom connects His will into ours, completely changing our wants into His will ending our selfishness and ungodly desires resulting in the satisfaction we need and God’s glorification. For most of us, we spend more time with human ways and endeavor to make things better for us. We seek wisdom in books written by human authors giving us limited results. God’s wisdom is infinite. And we can have it only by approaching the throne of grace. Once we start putting our trust and faith in God through Jesus Christ, wisdom becomes a part f our lives.

Yes, there will be difficulties, but in the end, we will have a divine answer. The important thing is that we have seen the difference between our want and God’s will. All the hidden lies within our wants are exposed. We can eliminate one by one the things that are not needed, no more confusion, only confirmation, revealing what is right and true, God’s will! It can never be a lost cause. 

We have to bear in mind that our God is not the author of confusion. Jesus Christ is the truth. We have to trust what He did in Calvary. This is the only way we would know the truth. The more that we trust Jesus, the more He will reveal the truth and God’s will. There is no other option in finding God’s will but to believe in the power of the cross and the Holy Spirit.