Today I was talking with someone about discerning the “Will of God” (insert echo) –od –od. It is a common phenomenon among Christian decision making. While people who don’t follow Christ call it worry. Many Christians excuse their worry away as trying to “discern” God’s will.
I, too, am guilty. I have done it. I’ve fretted and wondered if I were stepping out of God’s will. But in my journey I’ve picked up a few tidbits that help me make my decisions.
The Fleece vs. The Peace
In the book of Judges we see the story of Gideon. A fantastic story of God using the little guy (wish I was one) to do something that he couldn’t do. But Gideon didn’t think as much of himself as God did. So Gideon tested God to see if it was really His will for Gideon to obey Him. (Of course the angel of the Lord had talked with him, told him what God wanted done, and toasted the lunch that Giddy brought by making it spontaneously combust.) But that wasn’t enough for Giddy, nope he needed a sign. Enter the fleece. Poor innocent fleece, but Gideon said, “If this is really God’s will make the ground wet and the fleece dry tomorrow morning.” (Judges 6:36-38 BRV) The next morning it was dry when the ground all around it was wet with dew. So Giddy said, “Tommorrow morning let the ground be dry and the fleece be wet if this is really, really, really Your will.” The next morning it was just that way, in fact the ground was bone dry and the fleece was so wet it filled up a bowl.
*Note this is a passage of scripture that is Descriptive not Prescriptive. Further discussed at another time.
Then we have Paul in Philippians give us instructions on how we are to worry about nothing, but in every decision turn to God in prayer, list our needs with thankful hearts and he will give us peace that passes understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ. (Philippians 4:6-7)
*Note this is a prescriptive passage.
So what’s the difference? Well, Gideon’s way was about who?
God… (buzzer) sorry that’s a wrong answer. It was about Gideon. Let me see it for myself. Let me understand what You’re calling me to do. Let me get You (God) to do tricks for me to prove to me that You really want me to do this thing You told me to do.
Paul’s prescription of what we should do is what? Turn to Him, pray to Him, thank Him, rest in Him and the peace that we’ll never understand anyway. And who makes it possible? Jesus Christ.
One more thought and I’m done. In fact, I’m going to play a little game with my readers. A riddle of sorts. Carol, Phil and Suzieq are disqualified for 24 hours. Here’s the question: WHICH TREE WAS IT GOD’S WILL FOR ADAM AND EVE TO EAT FROM WHEN THEY WERE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN?
Talk amongst yourselves in the comments and tomorrow I’ll finish the last thought I have on this.
--Ben
4 comments:
Every tree except the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil".
I agree with Dad (I was thinking the same answer anyway!)
Say, I'm not going to comment on the trees, but your post about the will of Gawd is intriguing. Bruce Waltke wrote an interesting book: Finding the will of God: a pagan notion? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN 0802839746). He notes that as Christians God has given us the ability to make good decisions based on the precepts in his Word and godly counsel from other Christians. I don't agree with everything he says, but his book was an interesting read. I think Waltke is right to say that Gideon's fleece was a sign of his lack of faith & obedience. So you are right to call it "descriptive" rather than "prescriptive."
Jim,
Thanks for tacking on, you're always welcome. For those reading this who don't know James M. Darlack, he is a scholar and a gentleman. Glad to have you as a friend. Look forward to you telling all of us what you think about the Gospel of Judas Codex that was just released. You might get some hits from my readers looking for your scholarly opinion.
Much Love, Ben
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