Thy Will Be Done
“…. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
My heart truly goes out to the families and individuals all over the world who are facing an unimaginable crisis right now. It’s devastating.
I’m sure many reading this have faced a personal tragedy at one point or another that led to total upheaval. The events of the past week or so have taken me back to when our family was met with an unexpected crisis.
We all respond differently in times like this. There’s no right or wrong, but man, we are all so different. With the news of Carey’s cancer diagnosis, my and Carey’s reactions landed on two opposite ends of the spectrum. The doctors told us his cancer was terminal. Treatment was not curative, but it would hopefully buy him more time with us. We were told these things in no uncertain terms.
Carey said, ‘I got this, no matter what they say, I’ll beat it.’ Total confidence.
I panicked. I struggled to have any faith.
Carey was bent towards pride, and I struggled with doubt. Carey wanted to take control, and I wanted to hide in fear.
Sound familiar? I think we all lean towards one side or the other.
THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS
The main thing God used to pick us up out of our defensive responses was reading through the gospels, in particular, the events leading up to Jesus dying on the cross.
I encourage you to read through John chapter seven and note how the Scripture tells that Jesus was in grave danger, but ‘his hour had not yet come.’ Meaning, it didn’t matter the circumstance, God was in total control. Jesus had an appointed time to live and he had an appointed time to die. The time would not come too soon, and it’s the same for each of us.
Then why pray?
That’s the question I asked at this point and the answer is simple. Jesus prayed, and He told us to pray too.
The Bible is full of instruction about prayer, but in Matthew chapter six Jesus teaches His followers a more specific prayer which includes,
“Your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.”
Fast forward to Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane just before getting arrested and bearing the weight of the cross.
He was in agony.
He was afraid. The wrath of God was imminent.
Jesus felt great angst, but he didn’t stay there. The intense emotions he experienced were felt, but they didn’t control. His fear didn’t freeze him. Instead, it prompted him to draw closer to the Father in prayer. Jesus didn’t want to face what was coming, but yet still, he walked forward in humble obedience – submitting to the will and the authority of his Father.
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Jesus prayed to the Father.
His obedience led to his death, burial, and resurrection which would offer the hope of salvation and deliverance to all. Every tribe, nation, and tongue.
God’s highest degree of glory was accomplished. Death no longer has the final say because resurrection is coming.
OUR HEARTS
Reading through the gospels and absorbing the Spirit’s teaching about how Jesus himself faced his impending death was a pivotal point in our faith walk. It’s when we truly surrendered. It didn’t erase all our fear, but it gave us permission to feel fear in the moment, yet still walk forward in submissive obedience.
Our temptation to clutch the prideful reigns of control didn’t vanish, but instead it brought a heightened awareness of our need to repent. The confession of our doubts paved way for grace. We did our best to avoid a victim mentality because ‘victims’ don’t need grace, but we did. We prayed and believed for a miraculous healing while being diligent to plan and pray over the outcome we didn’t want. One didn’t need to trample the other because the prayer of our hearts, above all, was ‘not ours, God, but your will be done’.
Carey was healed in heaven for the highest degree of God’s glory. That I know for sure. Death didn’t win. Carey surrendered his heart to Jesus and Jesus snatched the victory over death on the cross.
Resurrection is coming! I can’t wait. Jesus is coming back, and I pray each and every one of us are ready for him. Prepare your heart. Posture yourself in humble faith and obedience.
REPENT, RESTORE, REJOICE!
‘Thy will be done’ are words prayed by generations upon generations of believers beginning with Jesus himself, and I don’t think there is an expiration date stamped on that prayer. We can’t fall through the cracks of God’s will.
However, we can ignore it.
With a lukewarm apathy we can shrug our shoulders to it.
With a lack of faith we can hide from it.
With pride we can walk in resistance to God’s will thinking we know best, but we are invited by the sweet mercy of the gospel to repent.
Repent!
Turn away from your pride or your apathy or your doubt and let the healing restoration of the Holy Spirit begin. Use this time to ask God to examine your heart and give you eyes to see and ears to hear His truth. Seek Him. Seek him through his Word and through prayer and you will find him. Pray His will be done - in your heart and through your life.
God’s will, His glory, and His righteousness reign above all. The very prayer of Jesus and all the saints will not be ignored, and God’s will to reflect His highest degree of glory will be accomplished. Join in.
