Galatians 1:3-5 (KJV)
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
The most painful and heart-wrenching prayer Jesus ever prayed was when He cried out in agony, “…If it be possible, let this cup pass from me..” (Matthew 26:39 KJV). One would think that God, being a compassionate Father, would grant His Son’s plea and spare Him from the cup of wrath. After all, Jesus was drinking this cup for ungrateful humans.
However, God chose the worst for His Son, refusing His plea so as to grant us salvation. God’s will for His Son to drink the bitter cup was the only way He could reach us. This selfless act of obedience is a stark contrast to our often conditional and self-willed requests made to God.
We often measure God’s love and care by the things He does for us, enforcing our desires upon Him, but Jesus’ request is soon followed by a profound declaration of surrender: “…Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39 KJV). Jesus yields His human desire to His Father’s will, understanding that God’s will is best, even if it means trial and agony.
The reward for yielding to God’s will is great. Jesus endured God’s wrath and affliction, and in the end, He was satisfied. Everyone who yields to God’s perfect will will be satisfied like Jesus.
As Ellen White puts it, “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him” (DA 224:5).
REFLECTION
- Do you trust God with your life?
- Have you yielded to God’s perfect will, no matter how hard it is to understand?
- Will you let go of what you think must happen in your life and let God’s will reign?
- Are you content with where God has placed you today?
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, merge my will into Your will, and let Your will reign in my life. Help me accept that Your will involves unspeakable joy and tears, trials and victories, weariness and delay, but through it all, I will understand that Your hand has been guiding me, shaping my life into a beautiful end.
You are leading me through things You know will make me strong. Tomorrow, when I look back at today, I will understand Your purpose for my life and will be thankful for Your will.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.