How to Know God's Will for Your LifeSample

More haste, less speed

Johannes entered the church office one day to find his pastor pacing up and down and praying loudly and sternly to God. Johannes quietly retreated, but later, still somewhat shocked at the minister’s attitude, asked him, ‘What was the problem, pastor? You sounded like you were angry with God.’

‘The problem?’ responded the pastor. ‘The problem is that I’m in a hurry and God’s not!’

This is a difficulty we all face, particularly when we are trying to discern God’s will.

The prophet Habakkuk was perplexed over the will of God not only for himself but also for his people. He didn’t understand what God was doing. So he found a secluded place and set himself to see what God would say. The answer did not seem immediately helpful but it was encouraging. God said in effect, ‘Be patient. You’ll know soon enough. Meanwhile, just trust me.’

This is what God often says to us when we are seeking to know his will.

David sang, ‘Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord’ (Psalm 27:14). And Isaiah warned that those who believe do not act in haste (Isaiah 28:16).

I remember church picnics when my mates and I would try to catch tadpoles from a creek. We would find an old can or a cracked cup and proudly take our catches home. Then we would transfer the tadpoles to a glass jar where we could see them growing. At first, the creek water was murky and opaque. A day or two later, however, a little miracle had happened. The mud had settled to the bottom, tiny bits of vegetation had floated to the top and the water had become crystal clear.

Guidance from God is a bit like that. Our prayers are like the tadpole jar. When we utter them, they are often mixed up and unclear. But if we just leave the matter with God, within a few days the whole situation settles down and the issues become clear. Like Habakkuk, we need to be patient.

I find this is how things often work with me. At first, there seem to be several possibilities, but for various reasons and in various ways, gradually they fall away, until only one is left, and that one is wrapped in God’s peace.

What we need to do is believe God’s Word and simply act on it. As Habakkuk said,

For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.

What next?

·Memorise Psalm 27:14.

·Why do you think it takes courage to wait for the Lord?