Articles
Accepting The Lord's Will
Accepting the Lord's Will
12 Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 10:12 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Good advice but most people find periods of their lives when this is difficult. As Joab faces a very difficult battle he exhorts his men to do two things. First, they are to wage the assigned war to the best of their ability. Second, they are to trust in the Lord. Well, actually, reread that. What he says is: "may the LORD do what seems good to him." Then what? What if the LORD doesn't bring victory? What if…
Trusting God when the "bad what if's" actually become the reality of the situation is indeed a trying of our faith. So many people believe that God wants to keep us from problems in our lives. When the problems still come, then they pray that the LORD will remove the problem. What happens when the problems are not removed become the test of our trust and character.
I recognize that Paul prayed for such (three times I asked that the thorn be removed). I also know that Jesus prayed "if it be thy will, let this cup pass from me". So such desire and prayer is acceptable. Yet with such prayer we need Joab's ability to say: "may the Lord do what seems good to him." Jesus in essence said that when he said "not my will, but thine be done."
Life happens. "Why me?" we ask. "Why not" comes the reply. Nothing happens that is not common to man. Yet, we are men, we partake of the common.
What we need is strength of faith and integrity. We need to not waiver when such events come. We can say "I believe - help my unbelief". Such growth comes from 'exercise' of problems. Overcoming problems come with the help of friends and family. Faithfulness through trials comes from trusting the LORD. The LORD is faithful.
Let us learn to say "may the LORD do what seems good to him."
