How to Know God’s Will

May 9, 2010

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:9-15

"When He had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them" (Acts 16:10).

That must have been a thrilling day for Paul, Luke, Silas and Timothy. They had talked it over and all agreed: This was the will of God for them. The KJV puts it "assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us…" How does a person come to that confident assurance? There are in this passage five principles for finding God's will.

I. Commitment. In general, God leads those who are committed to follow. Some people look for God's direction about like Lord Nelson looking at the signal flags on the Admiral's ship at the Battle of Copenhagen. He put the telescope to his blind eye. He knew the admiral would be signaling him to come out of action. He had no intention of doing so.

Sometimes God persuades a reluctant Jonah to accept His will, but that is rare. God prefers to bring a soul to trusting readiness before He shows the path. When Abraham's servant went at his master's bidding to find a bride for Isaac, he found God leading. Then he "praised the Lord…who had led him on the right road (Gen. 24:48). God's leading is for those who are on the journey as were these missionaries at Troas.

II. Communication. God makes known His will to those who are in touch with Him. Prayer is the main way we speak to God. The Bible is God's primary way of speaking to us. God made His will known to Cornelius in his time of prayer. He told him to send a delegation to Joppa for Peter. As they approached, God made His will known to Peter also in a time of prayer. If you want to know God's will, ask Him.

III. Counsel. God uses the advice and counsel of others to help us understand His will.

Notice the nouns and pronouns: "After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them" (v. 10). Paul heard the voice of God and had his vision to cross the Aegean and take the gospel to a new continent; but as strong-willed as the apostle could be, it seems here, he brought his companions into the decision. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Prov. 12:15). Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto.

IV. Circumstances. At times, God opens and closes doors as a part of His pattern of leading. Paul wanted to preach in Asia, but he felt forbidden by the Holy Spirit in those plans. Then they started to go into Spain (Bithynia), "but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them" (v. 7). How did the Spirit forbid them? We are not told explicitly, but perhaps it was a vision such as described in the next verse. Perhaps the border was closed somehow. At any rate, the closing of those doors pointed them to the open door of God's choosing.