I was thinking about free will, and the significance of submitting our will to the will of God.  It brings God such magnificent glory when we submit our will to his.

*  In a way this is what caused the devil to get in big trouble.  In Isaiah 14:13-14 Satan said in his heart... I will... I will... I will...I will... I will.  He decided his will was more important than the will of God.  He decided what he wanted was more important than what God wanted.  He decided to promote his will above the will of God.

*  Contrast what Satan did with his will to what Jesus did with his.  Matthew 26:39... My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will.  Wow!  Jesus decided the will of his father was more important than his own will.  He decided to promote the will of God above his own.

*  Notice the sweet, submissive, compliant response of Mary, the mother of God, to the angel when he announced to her the holy calling God had placed upon her life.  Luke 1:38... I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered.  May it be to me as you have said.  Wow!  No wonder God selected Mary for such a holy calling.  God knew her heart.  God knew that she would place the will of God above her own will.

My dear friend, may I encourage you to surrender your will to the will of God in a deeper way than you ever have before?  Whatever that thing is that you are currently struggling with in your heart, surrender it completely to the will of God as you lay it at his feet.  Not my will, but thy will O God be done.

Posted by Tony Ingrassia on 2/11/04; 11:04:08 AM