God's Will - Free Will

                                                                                                                            

                                                                               

Aloha Dearest Family,

Several years ago my family and I went to see a movie called Soul Surfer. If you have not seen the film, it's the true story of a young surfer from Hawaii, Beth Hamilton, who was attacked by a shark and loses her arm and then of her faith and courage to start surfing again. (We actually lived in Hawaii at this time and we remember seeing her story on the news. We were very impressed by her positive attitude throughout the whole thing). It was a pretty good movie of how, with God's help, we can overcome any obstacle. However, in the movie, there is a scene where Beth Hamilton (a beautiful daughter of God) goes to her youth counselor (played by Carrie Underwood) for help to deal with the loss of her arm. At one point Beth yells, "How can this be God's Will for my life?" The counselor had no real answers for her. (Very sad). How would you have answered her? We've all heard that God has a plan for all of our lives. We've also heard many people say that God is in control and that what happens is His Will. We will study these beliefs as we go along.Let us first go to Jeremiah 29:11, 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." 

The thoughts that God thinks toward us are for peace and not evil. The words "to give you an expected end" means the end that we have hoped for and that He has planned. Let's look at this verse from the New International Version, 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

It is God's ultimate plan to give us a hope and a future. God knew you before you were born. He knew you when you were growing up and He knew you when you accepted Christ as your savior (making you His child). He also knows the plan for your future as well. Each one of us has a mapped out future of blessings and of vital importance. However, God has also given man free will to make his own choices in life. So even though God is leading us to a future of victory, we, because of our free will, may choose to follow our own way, not necessarily God's way.

To show you my point, let us look at the first King of Israel, Saul. When God called Saul to be King, He had great plans for him. But God also knew that it wouldn't be long before Saul was disobeying Him. 

"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou /last done foolishly: thou host not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue..." (I Samuel 13:13,14a) 

If Saul would have kept obeying God, God would have established his kingdom in Israel forever. But because of Saul's disobedience God gave the kingdom to David. But this was not God's original plan for Saul. Saul used his own free will to do what he wanted instead of what God wanted and therefore changed God's plans for him (with disastrous results). You may wonder why God chose Saul when He knew Saul would fail as king. In all Israel there were only two who were eligible to be king. God knew that Saul would be obedient for a time. He stood a head taller than all the men and God knew for a time he would do what he was told. At this time David was too young. He would be the true king.  

Remember that God wishes above things that we prosper and be in health (III John 3). God really wants the best for us. In order for us to fulfill God's ultimate will for our lives we need to walk and talk with Him, following His directions. Proverbs chapter 3 states, 

"In all thy ways acknowledge him (God), and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes...." 

Let us not be wise in our own eyes. We cannot see what lies in store for us. Just like a little child cannot see the danger of running out into a busy street; but the parents do. We do not always know what is best for us but God always does. Man should not be the author of his own destiny, it never turns out right in the end (check out Proverbs 14:12). We need to acknowledge God in all our ways and He promises that He will direct our paths.

Next, let us look at Samson. Samson was a judge of Israel for only twenty years. Although God endued him with supernatural strength against his enemies, Samson allowed himself to be enticed and betrayed by a woman. He was then blinded and taken captive by his enemies. He never saw freedom again. (Was this God's Will for his life?) He performed many incredible feats of strength during his life. How many more could he have done if he had not been seduced by Delilah? How long could he have lived? I am certain God had a long life planned out for him.

Whenever I hear of a believer dying an early death, and then I hear some other believers say, "Oh, it was God's Will." or, "We must not question God because God's in control", I cringe inside because I know what God's Word says. It is NEVER God's Will for His family to suffer and die prematurely! It IS the devil's will however (John 10:10), 

“The thief cometh for but for to steal, kill and destroy; I am come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” 

God has thoughts of peace for us, not evil. God will guide you in the ways of peace and lead you down the path of blessing. But we need to be listening. It was NOT God's Will for Beth Hamilton to be attacked by that shark. I'm certain that the day of the shark attack God was trying every way He could to tell Beth and the ones around her not to go into the water that day. But sadly she wasn't listening. Neither were her friends or family. Let us practice going to God with every decision we make and learn to listen for His voice of direction. When we do not include God in our lives we are flirting with disaster and are allowing the devil to get a foothold into our lives. I don't know how many stories I've heard where believers were listening to God and were saved from certain disaster.

It IS God's ultimate will for us to walk and talk with Him and therefore be blessed and protected from all harm. Psalms 91 sums up God's primary Will for His children today, "

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16) 

Let us go on and live the victorious life God has planned for us.

Love Always, Ray