The great 19th century British missionary and explorer to the continent of Africa, David Livingstone, once said: “I’d rather be in the heart of Africa in the will of God, than on the throne of England, out of the will of God.”1 And in yesterday’s devotion I shared how Moses chose the will of God over the great privileges of being the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, for we read: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26).
Down through the centuries great men and women of God have understood that the safest and most joyous place to be is in the will of God. Corrie Ten Boom said it well when she proclaimed: “The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.”2
I have learned over the years in my walk with the Lord that God’s plans for my life are far better than my own plans. Pastor Greg Laurie echoes this thought well: “God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself. So don’t be afraid of God’s will, even if it’s different from yours.”3
While it is true that being in the will of God may bring temporary pain and suffering the blessings far outweigh any of the negatives. Below are just three of the amazing blessings that being in God’s will, will allow us to experience.
We will experience the joy of the Lord
In the parable of the talents, from (Matthew 25), if you remember one of the servants was given five talents. He was wise and traded with them and made another five talents. This is a good example of using our skills and abilities to do God’s will by investing wisely the gifts He has entrusted to us. Just listen to how the Scriptures give us the results of this wise servant: “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matthew 25:20-21). And we read about this joy in (Psalm 16:11): “…In Your presence is fullness of joy…” Doing the will of the Lord, I believe, will allow us to experience awesome joy that this world can’t offer us, nor can it obtain.
We will accumulate great treasures in heaven
In the beatitudes we see a good example of what happens to a believer when they choose to do God’s will by taking a stand for Jesus. (Matthew 5:11-12) shares the following: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” He we see again that joy accompanies obedience to doing the will of the Lord. But in addition, we are promised a great reward in heaven. Just what is this reward is not easy to discern but I know it will be special beyond our wildest imagination.
We will bring glory to God
When we do God’s will we become reflectors of His glory to the world around us. I believe we were created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. And when we are living in the center of God’s will we radiate the glory of the Lord to all those we come in contact with; both Christians and non-Christians. And in closing, I really get excited by knowing that when I am in the will of the Lord, I put a smile on the face of God!
1 David Livingstone quote: I’d rather be in the heart of Africa in the… (azquotes.com)
2 Corrie Ten Boom quote: The safest place to be is in the center of… (azquotes.com)
3 Greg Laurie quote: God’s plans for you are better than any plans you… (azquotes.com)