What is God's will for my life? - Deuteronomy 29:29
It’s a common question. Many people have treated God’s will for their lives like a maze they must navigate, hoping not to take a wrong step. In reality, following God’s will can be more straightforward than we might at times think. God desires that we obey His moral commands — and we can take comfort knowing He has made those clear in His word.
On Sunday, Pastor Michael preached on Deuteronomy 29:29, telling us that God’s will for our lives has more to do with who we are than what we should do.
Deuteronomy 29:29 says, ““The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (ESV).
In the sermon, Michael made clear the important distinction between God’s sovereign will and His moral will. Understanding these terms is helpful when seeking to understand what God’s will is for our lives.
God’s sovereign will, or hidden will, can be seen in everything that happens. Everything that comes to pass was sovereignly ordained by God. As Michael said, “God’s sovereign will cannot be stopped, thwarted, or hindered. He is not taxed, or tired in the accomplishment of His will.” Recognizing God’s sovereignty, we can be in awe of His absolute power over all of creation. His plan always comes to pass.
The sovereign will of God is often not revealed to us until it comes to pass. We are not meant to understand all that God has ordained, but we can take comfort knowing that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good. We can trust Him.
God’s moral will, or revealed will, is quite different from His sovereign will. God’s moral will is revealed in His moral commands, which are found in the Bible. Unlike God’s sovereign will, His moral will is often disobeyed. God has revealed to us moral commands that we are to follow, and when we obey these commands, we walk in ways pleasing to God.
When we think about following God’s will for our lives, we don’t need to think of it as navigating a maze. Two of God's clear desires for us are that we know Him and that we be sanctified. While we should seek His guidance in different life decisions, we must not overlook the importance of simple obedience to God’s moral will. Let's walk in ways we know are pleasing to the Lord, while taking comfort in the fact that His sovereign will always comes to pass.
Resources:
Searching for the Will of God — Ligonier Ministries
When God’s Will Isn’t Clear — Jon Bloom
Reflection Questions:
How does understanding the distinction between God’s sovereign will and His moral will comfort or encourage you?
What is one area of life where you desire to grow in holiness?
What steps can you take to pursue holiness in that area of life?