How to Know God's Will for Your LifeSample

Saul’s armour is not for you

Once when I was president of a Bible College, I remember being both surprised and disappointed when a young man from a country town whom I knew well, and who seemed to me to have plenty of potential, decided to go to an interstate school.

When I met him some months later, I asked him why he had not decided to study with us. ‘Oh,’ he replied, ‘I wanted to. I love Adelaide. I really don’t like the city where I am now. So that’s why I thought God wanted me to go there.’

I was astonished at his reasoning. But there was nothing I could do about it then.

I have since come across other people who just assume that God’s purpose for us will probably be unpleasant. It’s a kind of metaphorical version of dressing like a medieval bishop in a hair shirt infected with lice.

As we have seen, God’s calling for us may involve difficulty and suffering, but it may still be enjoyable, for all that. The wonder is that when we are in the place or position of God’s choosing, he will give us a great love and joy in it.

For some three decades, my wife and I lived in Sydney. I had always said, ‘Who in his right mind would want to live there?’ And then God called us to Sydney and immediately I fell in love with the place!

Paul describes the will of God as ‘good’, ‘perfect’ and ‘acceptable’ (Romans 12:1). The latter term is relevant here. Literally it means ‘well-pleasing’ or ‘agreeable’. God’s will is always pleasing. It may be tough and sacrificial, but it will be satisfying. The outcome is that when we are doing what God wants, we feel confident and competent, because we know we are where we should be. His purpose for us usually lines up with our gifts and talents, both natural and spiritual. We know we can do it.

Some people talk about having ‘an anointing’ for a particular thing. This is another way of putting it. In the Bible, this term applies to long-term calling (an anointing is an appointing) but the essence of it can be applied in the short-term as well.

Sometimes other people recognise our strengths before we do. As a young minister, I was sometimes invited to conduct evangelistic meetings. I was rarely invited twice. When I was invited to conduct teaching seminars, I would frequently be invited back. When I teach I feel comfortable; when I try to be an evangelist, I am never quite sure how to go about it, although I still try hard enough to do it.

Remember how David refused to wear Saul’s armour? It didn’t fit. It wasn’t comfortable. It wasn’t designed for David. If it had been, it would have been good and acceptable and just perfect. When seeking to know God’s will for your life, remember that God’s will for you will fit well. Even though it may be designed for battle, you will enjoy wearing it.

What next?

·How often have you tried to wear the wrong armour? Note some examples that you can avoid in the future.

·Memorise: ‘The will of God is good and acceptable and perfect’ (Romans 12:2).