Saturday, June 8, 2013

By: Brandon Bilbo

"The Lord's Prayer" Series Day 5: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

How It's Done in Heaven

Psalm 91:11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

Throughout the Bible, there are accounts of God sending angels on assignment to earth as messengers, protectors and warriors. One example is the Angel Gabriel informing Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.

Now, let's imagine Gabriel actually getting this assignment from God. How do you think he reacted? Can you even imagine Gabriel saying, "You know what God, there may be a better way." or "Just let me pray about that some more." or "Are you sure it's me you want?"

No way! I am certain that when God called Gabriel, the angel excitedly and immediately responded to God.

In the Lord's Prayer, we are commanded to pray, "Thy will be done on earth AS IT IS in heaven." In heaven, God's will is done without question or hesitation.

So, when we pray this prayer, we are praying that God would use us as vessels to fulfill His will just as the angels do.

I am sure there have been times when the Lord has spoken to us all where we have questioned if that tugging at our hearts is REALLY God. For example, you may be in the grocery store and feel moved to pay for someone's groceries who is in need but instead start thinking, "Can I really afford that?" or "Do I have time for that?" or "Do they really need MY help?" Before long, they are out of the door, and the opportunity is missed.

The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who walked this earth and questioned God's will. Moses beckoned for God to find someone else because he stuttered and felt inadequate to speak to Pharaoh.

God's will is not always the easy or popular thing to do, but it's eternally rewarded. 1 John 2:16-17 says, "For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 

The way to learn God's will is to draw closer to Him through prayer and His word and to always be faithful to His prompting.

I challenge you today to always respond to God's will with joy and tenacity. Only then can His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Dear Father, Forgive me for times that I didn't respond to Your will. Lead me and direct me to fulfill Your plan for my life.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.