Not Mine, But Yours

Advertising slogans and motivational speakers we've heard over the past few years have bombarded us with ideas like: "Have it your way", "You deserve it", "If it is to be, it is up to me", "Take the bull by the horns", "You can do it", and so on. Notice a theme here? The message is: It's all about me! Yet probably the biggest key to spiritual growth, which is essential if we are to be men of God, is the notion of submitting to God's will. This goes against our natural, human inclination to want things our way. It also reveals our level of trust in God that He will work all things for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

In the model prayer that Jesus gave to his disciples--the one we call the Lord's prayer--we find these words, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. (Matthew 6:10)" Our Lord very clearly teaches us that above all else, our desire should be that God's will be done, not our own personal wishes. When we wonder why our prayers appear to go unanswered, often James 4:3 provides the answer: "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Obedience to God's will always brings blessing, but it's not always easy. Notice the confidence of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they faced the extreme difficulty of following God's will: "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18). Our Savior himself, knowing the agony of the cross that He was about to face to pay for our sins, lifted up this prayer: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)