LOCUSTS AND HONEY
Vol. 7, Part 5
THE WILL OF GOD-LAGNIAPPE
The word “lagniappe” is a word we use in Louisiana. It means a small gift of something extra. We have recently in Locusts and Honey been discussing the will of God. In this edition, I am throwing in a little extra based upon my thoughts and experiences. We will be jumping around on different topics and thoughts about the will of God. After all, that is what grasshoppers do.
A Book on the Will of God
Many years ago I read a book entitled The Will of God by Leslie D. Weatherhead. Weatherhead was the pastor for many years of the City Temple in London. Although I am not in agreement with Weatherhead’s theology (too liberal for me), nevertheless, this book is a thoughtful look at God’s will. You can pick up a used copy of this book on Amazon in the $4-$6 range. Weatherhead discusses three forms of God’s will which he describes as the following:
- The intentional will of God-God’s ideal plan for men;
- The circumstantial will of God—God’s plan within certain circumstances;
- The ultimate will of God—God’s final realization of his purposes.
The purpose of this “blurb” on Weatherhead’s book is to let you know that it is out there and it is worth reading. Weatherhead has a helpful chapter on “Discerning the Will of God.
Two points in his chapter on discerning God’s will resonated with me. The first was when he wrote: “Do I really want to discern God’s will or do I want to get His sanction for my own.” Over the course of my life, I have frequently encountered people who are more interested in getting God’s approval for what they want to do than they are in doing what God wants them to do. The second point is when Weatherhead writes, “For myself, more than I need discernment, I need fortitude, courage, faith, determination and perseverance…Not to see but to do.” I can only say to this “Me too!” I often know what to do but don’t have the faith or courage to do it. I know more than I do.
The grasshopper jumps.
Wealth and the Will of God
There appears to be a general belief that when one does the will of God, it is likely to achieve wealth. We see this in various theories of capitalism such as works by Max Weber which take the position that belief in Scripture led to an emphasis in the excellence of work and in the savings of money. Today we find similar beliefs in the “prosperity gospel” which holds that Christ became poor so that we might become rich. Frankly, Solomon was very wealthy but ended up serving foreign gods resulting in spiritual bankruptcy. Jesus instead of being rich was poor, his crib was a manger or feeding trough, he had “no place to lay his head” and in death he was buried in a borrowed tomb.
The example of Jesus is excused by prosperity teachers because Jesus died (according to them) so that you did not have to be poor. For these and other reasons, there is a belief that if you follow the will of God, you will not be poor. I think this is stretching it. Jesus meets our needs but his goal for us is not necessarily material prosperity but it is for us to become rich spiritually and to have eternal life.
In Luke 16 we run into the story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man is obviously Jewish. He comes from a large family and life has been good to him. He eats what he wants and he lives comfortably in his wealth. Laying at his gates is another person–Lazarus. He is sick and disabled and the dogs lick his sores. Life has not been good for him. Meanwhile the rich man could be viewed as living in the benefits of those who have done the will of God. He has health and wealth and lives in prosperity. He is “blessed” by God. However, after the death of both, it seems that the tables have turned. The poor man who suffered terribly in this life, sits at the feast with Father Abraham while the one who was “blessed” by God in this life finds himself “in torment in Hades.” (Luke 16:23).
My point is simple. Wealth does not necessarily reflect whether one is following the will of God or not.
The Grasshopper jumps.
The Will of God and the Flesh
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the will of God from the desires of the flesh. Most of us know the story about the minister called to go and serve a larger and more prosperous church. The wife said, to her minister husband: “ Honey, you start praying and I will start packing.” Sometimes, the Spirit may say one thing but the flesh says something else. A dear friend of mine, left the teaching area to return to the active pastorate even though his physician told him that the change would probably aggravate his heart condition and kill him. My friend chose to follow what the spirit had told him even though within five to six years later he died while following his calling as a pastor. In the interim, God did great things with his life and he inspired many people to follow Christ more fully.
Another example on how the flesh works when it comes to discerning God’s will is what I call “the ministerial dilemma.” A ministerial guy in Bible college meets a cute girl and after a little reflection becomes absolutely certain that this is the girl for him and that it is God’s will that they get married. Sometimes, it works out. Sometimes, the girl has other ideas. Sometimes, it is a disaster for both. The point is that the flesh seems to be quick to say to the guy that marriage is “God’s will.” This gets back to issues such as are we really seeking God’s will or are we seeking God’s blessings upon our will and desires. Presumably if it is God’s will for the ministerial student to marry the young lady, God will have shown the same thing clearly to the prospective bride.
The grasshopper jumps.
Prophets and the Will of God
Sometimes the will of God will be unfolded or explained or confirmed by those with a prophetic ministry. For instance, at least on three occasions God has used me to prophesy over a person that they would be taking a position in a particular church in the future. In each instance, God fulfilled the precise prophecy. Prophecy can also be used to warn people regarding a course of action. Interestingly, just because there is a negative warning regarding a certain course of action, it does not mean that the action should not be done. A great example is found in the 21st chapter of Acts. In that chapter, Paul is warned repeatedly that if he goes to Jerusalem that he will be met with persecution there. In fact the Prophet Agabas makes sure that there is no mistake about this and he binds his own feet and hands with Paul’s belt and says that Paul will be bound in the same manner if he proceeds to Jerusalem. (See Acts 21:11). If most of us received these types of warnings we would avoid Jerusalem at all costs. However, Paul insists upon going anyway. The conclusion of this rejection of the warnings is found in Acts 21:14 which says, “When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” The will of God was that Paul suffer for the faith and to bear witness of Christ to the Emperor and to Rome. Sometimes the will of God takes us to uncomfortable places.
Jump, grasshopper, jump.
Finding God’s Will One Step at a Time
Many years ago I was vacationing in Colorado and hiking to Wheeler National Monument. At that time, the way to get to the monument was on foot and you begin by seeing one marker in the distance. When you got to the second marker, you could see the third marker and so on. In fact, if you hiked using this method, you had to have a lot of faith especially if, like me, you had neither a map, direction nor a compass. You were always in sight of one marker and used the next marker to guide your direction. Sometimes, as we seek the will of God, we know our ultimate destination but do not know the exact route to get there. In some instances, we must begin in faith taking the first step and waiting on God to reveal the next step.
Jump, grasshopper, jump.
Personal Experiences in Seeking God’s Will
Over the course of my life, I have tried to find a number of different ways to know God’s will. Below are a few things which I have done. My paths in doing God’s will have been circuitous. During the course of my life I have been a ministerial student, a graduate student, a professor in a Christian College, an attorney, a photographer and a writer. I have been a son, a spouse, a father, a brother and a friend. In the church I have been a minister, a deacon, an elder and a simple member. In all of this I have been a follower of Christ and from time to time have shared Christ informally in such diverse places as China, Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico and other countries. I go through this just to illustrate that following the will of God is not always simple and straight. Paul found himself going all over the known world sharing Christ as both apostle and prisoner. Following God is not always a straight line path.
In the past, I have sought God’s will through a number of different methods. Below are some of the methods which I used. They are in no particular order:
- Search the Scriptures. I have found that reading the Bible regularly (and also when I am searching for direction) is very helpful.
- Scripture says that if we knock it will be opened and if we ask it will be answered. When seeking direction, a good place to begin is simply to ask for God’s specific direction for you.
- We often do not hear because of all of the activity and concerns around us. It is good to stop what we are doing, get quiet and listen to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes God speaks in the quiet voice of the heart. Stop and listen before you leap.
- Jesus fasted. In one case, he said that a demon could not be dealt with unless there was prayer and fasting. Fasting can help you focus upon God. Be wise and judicious in your fast.
- Receive a prophetic word. I have had people in the prophetic area pray for me and from time to time give me a prophetic word. Generally, a prophetic word will serve as a confirmation to what you already know in your heart. Remember that the word that God speaks in your heart is more reliable than a prophetic word. There is one instance in the Bible in which God told a young prophet to go into Samaria and prophesy and return to Judah without stopping. An old prophet told him that God said he could stop and eat and misdirected the young prophet causing his death. (1 Kings 13:1-32). The lesson in this is that you obey God when he speaks to your heart and don’t believe others who contradict the word of God even if they proclaim themselves to be prophets. (An additional caution is that many very well-known “prophets” today have shown themselves not to be very accurate.)
- Open your Bible and look for a Word. At one point in my life I tried this. I had a question and I would pray and then open my Bible at a random position to see if God would speak to me on the pages which I opened. I was not particularly impressed with this method and find it somewhat like praying and flipping a coin.
- Counseled with mentors and spiritual counselors. I think this is always a good idea. However, once again, I believe God will speak directly to your heart. The Bible says that there is safety in a bunch of counselors (Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 24:6). Nonetheless, in so many occasions, God has led me in an independent direction that I would not overly rely on what others have to say. Yet seeking counsel can be a good confirmation IF one picks counselors who are Godly and full of the Holy Spirit.
- Consult and Pray with your Spouse. Scripture says that a man and his wife are one flesh. In seeking God’s will, sometimes it is helpful to pray with a believing spouse and get their insights. I have often found that my wife can act as a confirmation of a direction which God has spoken to me. God in many cases has spoken to her clearly as well.
- Praying that God will close the door. Sometimes, we have prayed that God will close the door if we are not supposed to go in a direction. Just as God can open doors, God can close doors. Sometimes, we are anxious and want to move ahead. We find that we want to move ahead of God’s timing. God can use closed doors to slow down his timing for an action. God not only open doors for us, but he can close them too!
- Moving in Faith. Sometimes we have to go in one direction or the other and are not certain of our guidance. When it is possible to wait in that instance, we do so. However, from time to time, we step out in faith prayerfully believing that God will help us with the first step and once we take the first step, He will show us the second step.
- A Piece of Advice. None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes from time to time. If you lose your way, then return to the road map. Go back to the written word of God and ask for new direction and for help and clarification. All of us from time to time have to do resets or make adjustments. Do not be discouraged. You are not alone. God is with you to make any needed adjustments.
I hope these experiences will be helpful to you as you seek both to know God’s larger will and walk in God’s specific will for you.
Verses to Contemplate: Below are a few verses to contemplate as you seek to know God’s will and as you seek to learn God’s specific will for your life:
- Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. 3:5-6.
- We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual understanding…. 1:9
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 12:2. (Many a sermon has been preached on this verse. I have done you a service and have not written a commentary on this particular verse.)
- Teach me to do your will for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. 143:10.
- Show me the way I must take; to thee I offer all my heart. 143:8.
- Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 119:133
- The Spirit will guide you to all truth. 16:13
- Since you are my rock and my fortress for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 31:3
- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 119:105
The Grasshopper rests.
