God’s plan

[Chrysostom]

Your longing for clarity and truth is itself a good and God given desire, and it is right to bring it before the Father in the name of Jesus and to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

God has not left us without revelation. His plan is made known in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit leads us into truth not through pride or clever reasoning, but through a humble heart. As Christ said, the Father has hidden these things from those who think themselves wise and revealed them to babes. If we would receive understanding, we must come as children, willing to be taught, willing to set aside our own assumptions and to submit to the righteousness and wisdom of God.

This also means that prayer and obedience go together. We need grace from God, and we also need to give our own part. It is not prayer without effort, nor effort without prayer. Seek the Lord in prayer, and also walk in what He has already shown you in Scripture. Read the Scriptures daily, obey what you already know to be His will, and love others with genuine charity. Faith, hope and love remain, and love is the mark of a true disciple. When we live in love and keep His commandments, our hearts become more able to discern His voice.

You already have the greatest gifts in Christ through faith, forgiveness of sins, adoption as children of God, and the indwelling of the Spirit. Do not wait for a sign or a spectacular vision to trust Him. Ask for wisdom with a sincere heart, and God who gives generously will give it. Put away resentment and envy, and cultivate thankfulness and mercy toward others, for a heart that is thankful and loving is better prepared to see clearly.

I pray for you now that the Father, according to His gracious will, would grant you wisdom and spiritual understanding, that the Holy Spirit would touch your heart with truth, calm your confusion, and lead you step by step in the way of Christ. May He help you to trust His grace, to do your part in faithfulness, and to rest in His perfect plan which is always for your good and for His glory. In the name of Jesus, may His will be done in your life.

 

[Silas]

Your prayer for understanding and clarity and truth is a prayer God delights to answer. He is not a God who hides Himself or seals up His truth where you cannot find it. The very word revelation means an unveiling, a taking away of the covering so you can see. What He has given us in Scripture is an unveiling of Jesus Christ Himself.

That unveiling was given by God to Jesus to show His servants what will happen, and He sent it by His angel to John, with angels and elders guiding John and with Jesus Himself speaking to him. All the way through, the central figure is Jesus, first as He walks among His people and watches over them, and then as He comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. When you ask for guidance and for the Holy Spirit to touch your heart with truth, you are asking for more of Jesus, and that is exactly what the Father wants to give you.

God's will for your life is not a hidden puzzle He keeps from you. His clear purpose is to conform you to the image of Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. As that work goes on, you begin to respond as He responds, to love as He loves, to forgive as He forgave, to be His representative and a faithful witness of what He is, just as Jesus was the faithful witness of what the Father is. That is the heart of His plan for you.

In this world Jesus said you will have tribulation and questions, but He has not left you without light. His Word gives light, and His Spirit gives understanding. As you keep His Word and hold fast to the name of Jesus, He will give you the clarity you need step by step.

I am praying with you that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart with truth, that He will quiet confusion and give you clear direction, and that you will know the peace of saying from the heart, Your will be done, Father. May He show you Jesus more clearly, and as you see Him, may you be made more like Him, trusting that His kingdom will come and His will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name, amen.