As God Wills

How has the past week been for you? Some weeks seem to be overburdened with cares and overladen with sorrow. I remember hearing a dear friend speaking about the number of funeral or thanksgiving services she attended in the past week. I was given the distinct impression that it was a kind of record for her. Of course, with these, come deep grief and sorrow. On the other hand, I have listened to others tell of the number of appointments and meetings they attended, which were crammed into the week that has just gone by. They were all busy, upbeat and full of life.

The fact is that we all know about the week past, because we have experienced and lived out each of its days. The fact is also, that not one single one of us knows what any day of this coming week holds for us, as individuals, as families, or even as a nation. None of us lives without some kind of planning, even if it’s only in our heads.

At a weekly fellowship meeting which I attend, one of our number announced that she does not plan in advance. She was challenged on that statement, but insisted that she made no plans, because they always seemed not to work out as she planned. Be that as it may, we pointed out to her that she does make plans. Her very presence at the fellowship meeting that day, showed that she had planned to attend. Whether long term or short term, daily plans are made by us all.

On this first day of a brand new week, this Lord’s Day Sunday, we all have some kind of plan or plans, even if our plan, is not to plan. Whatever our plans are, and I mean our human plans, we must ever be conscious of our Sovereign God and His Plan or Will. Whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer, and however often in one day it is prayed, we humbly and reverently declare, Thy Will Be Done. We are saying to God that His will is done right here on earth, where we now are, in the same way as it is done in heaven, where saints and celestial beings are. The will of God speaks of the plan of God and as He plans to act, so shall it be. Proverbs 16: 9 assures us of this truth about the Sovereign Power and Authority of God. A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

In days gone by, it was customary to hear people, especially the older folk in our community, using such expressions whenever they spoke of any future work or plan. They would say, I’ll see you tomorrow, God willing. Or, as it pleases God, I will do this, or that.  Is this not one of the precious, pleasing and needed gems we have from those folk, most of whom have been called home to glory? We too must be careful and conscious in our speaking and planning, to acknowledge God, for He is altogether, Sovereign and Lord.

James reminds us that in all our thinking and planning, we should always say, If the LORD wills, we shall live and do this or that. James 4: 15b.

God is the Almighty God. He is our Father in heaven and His Will is done here on earth also. As Lord of heaven and earth, nothing and no one can stop God’s Will, His Plans, or even foil them. God is LORD. Jesus is LORD and what He plans or wills for you will take place, through the Holy Spirit.  

During this week, DV (Deo Volente – God Willing} we shall focus on our Lord, Jesus and how His Will for a woman, totally changed her, and those around her.