HIS WILL AND HIS WILL ALONE

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28     

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

How strong is your will?

Be careful how you answer that question.

I say this because we have a real problem with the matter of will power.

At times, our will is too strong, so much so that it leads us to an obstinate stubbornness and pride that refuses to admit that we can’t make it through life on our own. At times, we get in the mindset that we can will ourselves to accomplish anything we want like success or wealth or recovery. Note that this state of mind is fully focused on oneself as the source of strength and power to do all things. It’s a position grounded fully in self reliance.

Yes, our will can be too strong but it can also be too weak. In other words, when we find ourselves easily failing and falling all the time, particularly in reference to temptations, we tend to try and explain the issue away by saying we simply lack the will power and self control to stop doing what we know we’re not supposed to do.

Two distinct instances. Two glaring weaknesses within our human nature. Both shine the light on the problems that come when we rely on our own will that either consumes us or consistently lets us down.

Maybe you can relate to one or the other in your life.

So what are we to do? How do we deal with our will problems?

Perhaps the answer can be gleaned from today’s proverb from the ancient wise king, Solomon. Look what he had to say on the matter:

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28

Lacking will power and self control exposes cracks in the walls of our humanity. There are more than enough places where sin can slip through and invade, just as an enemy could break through a fortress that was not built soundly and assail its inhabitants. In essence, we leave ourselves defenseless when we place our faith in self reliance.

The same applies for when we are too strong willed but the problem isn’t sin being able to easily enter. The problem is that we seal ourselves up so much we trap sin inside and block the Lord out. Our pride places a barrier that is nearly impenetrable and I say nearly because no matter how hard we try, we will never be able to keep the Lord from reaching into our very heart, mind, and soul. After all He is God and we certainly are not.

So what are we to do with this scripture today? What is the Lord trying to say to us?

I believe the message is loud and clear.

We are not to rely on our own will but rather on the One, Jesus, who is the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). As Christians, we are to build our lives upon His solid foundation. As the classic hymn professes, so too should we:

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

The will of Jesus will never lead us anywhere except to righteousness and holiness and humility. When we stand firm on His solid rock, we find the strength to do all things like overcome any and all challenges of life as Paul discovered in his life and service to Jesus (Philippians 4:13). Those challenges could include pride and self reliance. Those challenges could include lack of control and will power. Either way, the will of the Lord Jesus Christ leads us to victory as we assume life attitudes and actions that are guided by Him and are pleasing in the Father’s sight.

This was true in the scriptures and it’s still true today. There’s only one will in life and it’s the Lord’s will and His alone. Turn to it and you will never go wrong.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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