We must be hearers of the Word, but we must also be doers of it. As nice as it is to know it we will do better in dealing with, for instance, anxiety, when we understand that there is a far richer benefit: “He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Yes, that’s a promise. If you live as God wants you to, then you will enjoy eternal life in His presence.

Who would you say is the most submissive and compliant person you’ve ever heard about? Jesus may not be the first name that came to your mind, but He is the correct answer. There was nothing passive or hesitant about him, but every moment of His life was lived in full obedience to God. Even when He faced the unimaginable prospect of arrest, torture, and crucifixion, He affirmed God’s will and submitted to it. Here is how obedient He was “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Jesus said: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). Again: “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (5:30). Jesus is the ultimate model of obedience and submission to God’s will.

What that will is, of course, is the great question for many people. They seem to believe God has hidden it from them, and it’s up to them to go look under every leaf. The will of God for your life is spelled out in scripture. There is no magic formula; you won’t discover His will by placing your Bible under your pillow at night. But as you develop a consistent pattern of reading God’s Word and meditating on it, you will begin to sense the reality of God’s will at work in your life!

The answers to all of life’s questions will not just be contained in any verse. But you will find many specific directives to get you serving the Lord, and the specific answers will be revealed as you are consumed by the work of God rather than your own self-interests. The Bible will show you what to do; the question is, are you willing to do it? What do you think?

Thoughts from reading “Staying Consistent” by David Jeremiah (Living with confidence in a Chaotic World) — via Ken Darnell