Finding God's Will - Part 1: Looking for God's Will - Psalm 25:14

"The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them" (Psalm 25:14, HCSB).

Ostensibly, what most of us want to do most is God's will!

While we have good intentions, we don't really know how to go about doing God's will--or at least put into practice the patience, perseverance, and obedience required to do it!

But for those really, really looking for God's will, Psalm 25 provides some practical guidance and apt advice!

While the psalmist doesn't furnish us with a formula or step-by-step methodology, he does identify a strategic approach to looking for God's will based on reverence, adoration, and veneration for God.

The psalmist begins by advising us to turn to God, trust in God, and wait on God. When we turn to, trust in, and wait on God, then God will forgive our sins and teach us truth because of His faithful love for us (vs.4-7).

And God will reveal His will to us and definitely direct our lives when we realize our dependence on Him and seek His will penitently and humbly: "He shows sinners the way" (vs. 8) and "He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way" (vs. 9).

God's way, His secret counsel, His will, is revealed to people who trust in Him and are faithful and obedient to Him.

Looking for God's will is an act of worship by people who depend on God!

While God reveals Himself and His general will to us through His Word, the Bible, God makes it personal for us by revealing specific details of His will and attributes of His character that are appropriate to our need and situation.

So, if I were to pack into just one sentence what the psalmist is telling us about looking for God's will, it would be this: God reveals His will to people who are desperate to know it!

My pastor says that unfortunately, the approach we more often use in looking for God's will is: "I'm going to do this, this, and this and, by the way, God, will you bless it?"

But the psalmist reminds us that looking for God's will is so critical that we must be willing to wait on God to reveal it to us.

And when God's will is finally revealed to us, then God protects us with the assurance of doing the right thing and helps us remain in His will: "May integrity and what is right watch over me, for I wait for You" (vs. 21).

Part 2: Why God Reveals His Will >>