Two Steps Toward Knowing God’s Will

In review of James 1:5 I read, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him.” (TLB)

By "wisdom," James is talking not only about knowledge but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. When I need wisdom, I can pray to God and he will generously supply what I need. There is no need for me to stumble upon answers. I can ask for God's wisdom to guide my choices.

The wisdom I need has three distinct characteristics: (1) It is practical. It relates to life even during the most trying times. It's wisdom in which trials are overcome. An intelligent person may have profound ideas, but a wise person puts them into action. A wise person chooses a most likely reason and proceeds to take action. (2) It is divine. It goes beyond common sense. It begins with respect for God and leads to living by God's direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong. (3) It is Christlike. Asking for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ.

If I want to know God’s will, then start with these two steps:

1. Admit that I need guidance. Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (NIV). If I’ve never felt God guiding me, maybe it’s because I’ve never admitted that I need his guidance. I go to work assuming that I know what to do without praying about it. I make financial decisions, vacation plans, or career decisions before stopping to pray about them. I think I know, but I might want to stop and admit that I need guidance, because it’s the first step in getting God’s will for my life.

2. Ask God in faith for direction.

In James 1:5-6, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (TLB). 

There are two keys to knowing God’s wisdom. First, I need to ask the right person: God. Then, I ask with the right attitude: expecting God to answer. Have you ever asked God to lead me, but not expect him to? I must ask, expecting God to answer.

God honors faith, and he promises wisdom for the next step of my life.

In summary, If I want to know what God wants me to do, ask him, he will gladly tell me. It's not only knowledge, but the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. There is no need for me to stumble upon answers. I can ask for God's wisdom to guide my choices. God's wisdom has three distinct characteristics: First it's practical as it relates to what's happening and helps me put it into action. Secondly it's divine, as it goes beyond common sense. It begins with respect for God and leads to living by God's direction, resulting in the ability to tell right from wrong. Lastly it's Christlike. Asking for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ. To know God's will I'll need to start with first admitting I need guidance and then asking God in faith for direction.The keys are to ask the right person: God and then to ask with the right attitude, expecting him to answer. God will honor my faith and promise wisdom for the next step of my life.

This morning Father, I ask for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. This I pray in your Son Jesus name, Amen.