Can We Know God’s Will for Our Lives?

Trust the God of the Word in decisions not clearly indicated in Scripture.

To trust the person of God who is revealed in the Word requires that we know him. What’s he like? Spend time reading the Word. Note direct adjectives that describe him, but also read the narratives that show his work, what pleases and angers him, what actions he takes and why. A tiny smattering of descriptors:

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deut. 32:4).

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

“… the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether” (Ps 19:9b).

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chron 16:34).

“O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you” (2 Chron. 20:6).

When it comes to God’s will, Job concludes, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (42:2). He’s basically saying, “God, Your will is going to be done.” The plan of God is going to go forward. He has a settled confidence—and so can we—that God will accomplish His work. He’s powerful enough, wise enough, and creative enough to make it happen, even when we don’t understand how.

But what about choices that don’t involve right or wrong?

Choose joyfully and cheerfully in the amoral decisions that are not right or wrong.

Some decisions in life are not right or wrong, sinful or righteous. They’re options.  Jeans or khakis today? An amoral decision. Follow the desires of your heart, and maybe your sense of color coordination or social etiquette. Many of our daily decisions involve amoral choices, so choose freely and joyfully between the two. Follow the impulses of your heart. Consequential decisions benefit from a heart devoted to God, so our spiritual maturity can help us choose better over good, in some cases. Use good judgment based on context and banish the emotional stress from your body.

“Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart, cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless” (Eccl 11:9–10).

Does that stress you out? The last principle likely will, too.