By Teena Myers

Deliverance

Observations as I follow God through the Chronological Bible

The will of God is easy to find. Some might disagree with that statement, but it’s true. Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly says “I will”. Whatever follows the “I Will” is the will of God. Sometimes God’s “I will” applies to individuals, some to the nation Jacob’s children became, some pertain to the surrounding nations, and some to all of us. Discern which “I will” belongs to all of us, and you have found the “will” of God for your life.

I know. God’s “I will” may not address the will of God for an individual pertaining to one’s gifts and callings or more personal matters regarding a marriage partner or career choice. But if you lack direction for your life, this is a good place to start. Knowing God’s will for his people gives direction for one’s gift, calling, and personal matters.

God spoke the same “I will” for three generations, beginning with Abraham. According to the New Testament, the promises in the gospel that God preached to Abraham belonged to two men – Abraham and Jesus.[1] Anyone from any nation who possesses the faith of Abraham will inherit the promises God made to Jesus.[2]

Therefore, it is the will of God for every person of faith to become a great nation, more numerous than the dust of the earth and the stars of heaven, that blesses all nations. God will bless those who bless us and curse those who curse us. He will establish his covenant with us to be our God. We will possess the gate of our enemies, which is another way of saying we will govern our enemies. They will not govern us.

Did you notice the promises lack specifics? There is more to the gospel than the brief summary in the preceding paragraph. The promises God made to Abraham and Jesus were the beginning of fulfilling the promise God made to humanity in the Garden of Eden to “put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”[3]

Jesus has come and returned to heaven without receiving the fulfillment of all God promised him. Jesus has not become the king of a mighty nation on earth to rule all nations yet.[4] Those who possess Abraham’s faith continue to live as Abraham did, strangers and foreigners on earth, often ruled by God’s enemies. Clearly, God is still revealing and fulfilling his “I wills”.

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[1] Galatians 3:8, 16

[2] Galatians 3:29

[3] Galatians 3:14

[4] Revelation 8:2, 6 ; 11:15-18