Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

Chapter 3
FINDING THE WILL OF GOD
Now that you are a Christian, you will want to do the will of God. When you were a
child, you did the will of your parents. Sometimes you didn't understand why you were doing
what they wanted; other times you didn't want to please them. Some even rebel against the will
of their parents.
A young boy didn't like practicing the violin and didn't understand why he had to stay
cooped up in the house when his friends were playing outside. Later he made first violin in the
symphony orchestra and was grateful for his mother's determination.
The will of God is "good" (Rom. 12:2), but that does not mean we always enjoy our
circumstances. God knows what is best for His children, and those who listen to Him are
rewarded. God's will for us comes out of His nature. He wants us to be like His Son (Rom.
12:2).
You can look to Jesus as your example in finding the will of God. His entire life was
dedicated completely to the Father's will. He once said, "My meat is to do the will of him that
sent me" (Jn. 4:34). Again He prayed, "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42). Doing
the will of God is simply doing what God wants you to do. When Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy
will be done," it simply means we do what God expects.
1. You can find God's will. The psalmist says, "The meek will he guide in judgment;
and the meek will he teach his way,, (Ps. 25:9). Every man can find God's will. Every man!!
Not only full-time preachers can find God's will. The little boy in the first grade must know that
God wants him to develop his abilities and grow as Jesus did.
God expects us to know and do His will. Paul exhorted, "Be ye not unwise, but
understanding what the will of ' God is " (Eph. 5:17). Two facts arise from this verse: first, the
will of God can be understood; and, second, those who do not know the will of God are not wise.
Some search for the will of God like looking through a zing of keys, using the trial and error
method. But God does not hide His will like the miser hiding his money, hoping no one will find
it. Every Christian, meaning you, can know and do the will of God.
We can find God's will if we seek His guidance in our lives. Jeremiah said, "It is not in
man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23). We should not leave our future to our own
decision. We must seek God's will and God's Word. We have to be sure that our will, heart,
affections and desires are wholly surrendered to Him.
2. You must desire to know God's will and be willing to do all that is involved. God's
will is like groceries: they don't come from the store ' and place themselves on the table. You
must go get a job and work diligently. Then use your money to go and purchase groceries. Even
when you get your food to the house, it must be prepared. Laziness is inconsistent with God's
will.