At this time when that I am writing this article, the Football World Cup is still in the heat of the contest. Brazil, a five time winner of the World Cup has just been defeated. Many expected Argentina to win this year’s World Cup as they have some of the best people in the team. In fact, they had even made preparations for a long night of partying. But they were defeated 4-0 by Germany. I am no football fan but I could not help but wonder at such an unexpected turn of events. Actually, this is in accord with the Word of God (Jas 4:13-16):

Now listen,you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will,we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”

You Are Not in Control

We appear to be in charge of our own lives. But the fact is there are many critical things which we are not in

control. Take for instance some of the most important milestones in our lives: You could not decide when you were born. Neither can you decide when you will die. You could not decide who your parents would be. Whether you get to keep your job next year is not within your total control. It is not even within the control of your boss or the most powerful nation. Hence, what God’s Word says is right: “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow.”

God Is In Control

Then who is in control? God who lives in eternity past and lives in eternity future, God who is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, God who will not change–He controls all things past, present and future. For this reason, the Word of God wisely advises us: “If it is the Lord’s will,we will live and do this or that.” The Bible is not simply asking that we agree with this statement. It is exhorting us to seek and understand God’ will before we take an important course of action.

Your Response

Are you facing some challenges in life? If you do what is right in God’s eyes, you are doing the will of God. Your way may seem uncertain or you may appear to be near the edge of a cliff. Rest assured that you are walking in safety: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked … He is like a stream planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psa 1:1-3). If you are at a crossroad, ensure that what you are doing pleases God—that you walk in His will. But how do you know His will? It is to be found in the Word of God. First, ask God to give you a heart that seeks to glorify Him and Him alone. This is the most important prerequisite to understanding God’s will (Rom 12:1-2). Second, read related bible passages that speak on the subject you are concerned about. The bible addresses all concerns: money, family, relationship, spiritual service, the physical world, the spiritual world, life goals, etc. Finally, by prayer ask the Almighty loving Holy Spirit God who lives in your heart to move and guide you to know and do His will. Then you will do His will and walk in safety and blessedness.