Not Our Will but Yours be done

Not Our Will but Yours be done 

by David Brenneman 

David knew the pain of betrayal, the pain of close friends who turned on him, of family that sought his death.  

David knew and sought God's protection and provision.  

It's not easy to react in a way that's God's way and not our own.  We want justice that's in line with what we see an offense being.  

God's looking at the soul of the person in question.  

I have been the recipient of many who were absolutely not looking out for my best interests.  Certainly most were of the opinion that I didn't deserve this or that. 

I readily confess that not in all situations and all ways did I react as a child of God ought to have done. 

It isn't going to be easy to react as the Father wants us to in any given battle here on Earth.  He just promises it will be worth it.  

Jesus went through more than any human being in regards to every kind of attack that a person could have faced or imagined.  

"For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:16. 

Our sanctification brings us further and further into a Christ-like way of thinking.

Our pains and struggles aren't for us to embrace alone.  Give them to God to deal with.  

It's not on us to seek or to force justice on our terms.  There's only one who is the Righteous Judge.  

When we're hurting we want the one who did the hurting to hurt more than we're experiencing.  But that's not what God's telling us to be like.  

The only treasure in Heaven is people. 

The life we're living today is not even a blip on the radar of eternity.  Oh the pain is very real but once we step into eternity it's past remembrance.

The command, not the suggestion, is to forgive as we have been forgiven. If we do not forgive we will not be forgiven. How long?  From the example Christ gave...as many times as it takes.  

"Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus *said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22.

"My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:1-6.

We need reminders to let go and let God. 

Husband's are to pray for their Wives. Wives to pray for their Husband's. If there's children they are to pray for them.

Job constantly brought sacrifices and offerings just in case his children or his wife sinned in their hearts.  

No doubt we all know the pains of dealing with others.  But Jesus knows that a right relationship with Him requires our full obedience regardless of how agonizing life is or how it may make us feel.  

As Dr. Stanley has said...disobedience in one area means disobedience in all.  There's no such thing as partial obedience.  No such thing as half-hearted obedience.  

The rough roads we live together today are not going to be remembered when we stand with Jesus in His glory.  

Our being right, being justified in our own eyes, our being successful in home or work, is not important in light of eternity. 

Everyone has their theology corrected when they stand before Jesus. 

Some get it corrected early on in life in living now.  

We must accept what judgment that Jesus utilizes as well.  What He decides goes.  He is King and He is to rule in our hearts.  

Our happiness isn't paramount. Our relationship with Jesus is.

I pray for me that I would have the mind of Christ daily.  My life is to show the character of Christ in me.  When we forget the truth that the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires...we fail.  We sin against God. When we refuse to forgive we pit ourselves against God.  My Dear Reader, do you really want to be in that position?

Jesus said that with God all things are possible.  God's Word says that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  All things include every single attempt to get us to sin against God.  All things include every single person who harms or tries to harm us.  All things include everything this world has to throw at us. 

When we embrace what God says not to...when we aren't forgiving...aren't loving as we have been loved...we are telling God we know more than Him.  You do NOT want to be in that position. 

Pray for a heart that forgives.  A long time ago I found myself slapped in the face by God over embracing rage at other driver's who had nothing to do with the accident that I had been in.  

I have been betrayed by people.  I had been prompted to forgive. It wasn't pretty but I had to because God said so. 

I am compelled to obey Christ because He said to if my aim in life is to become more like Christ...that comes with the territory. 

If you are claiming to be in Christ, it comes with the territory.  

To be truthful, no, you're not going to like it at first, but as we are taught by the Spirit...love covers a multitude of sins. 

Pray for those whom you find are against you.  Pray for those whom the Spirit shows you are astray from the path God had put them on. 

Pray on, pray over, pray through.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation