Thy Will Be Done: a devotion by Ann Broughton

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 NIV).

Do you desire to do God’s will? I believe as humans being we have a tendency to want our will over God’s. After all, we do know more about our lives and our goals than God does. Right? This is wrong!

I really enjoy listening to a song called, Thy Will, by Hillary Scott. The words talk about how after all was said and done she had ended up with a broken heart and these three words, thy will be done. Also what really made me stop and think were the words that said that she needed just to stop and remember that “you’re God and I am not”. Wow, isn’t that what we all need to say when we pray.

Sometimes we want to be in control over other people’s lives. We ask ourselves, “Why don’t they just quit those bad habits?” or “Why can’t they see that is the wrong career for them?” I am sure there are many other ways that you yourself try to control other people’s lives or wish you could. You really need to stop this, and trust that they will follow God's will in their lives. Remember you are not God. 

I did not know how much I like to be in control until I retired. Now all of a sudden I want to control other people around me and offer suggestions liberally. My husband believes it is because I was a teacher and controlled kids for 30 years. Now I need to control lives of those around me. I have really been praying about this because I know it is wrong. 

Doing God’s will means leaving Him in control of your life and trusting Him to take care of your loved ones. We must be confident that God’s timing is right and even when we wonder why it is taking so long, we must trust His wisdom. This verse reminds me of trusting God with my prayer requests. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14 NIV).

Dear Lord,

Help me to give up the control of my life to you completely. I know that your will is more important than mine. Help me to trust in your timing. Help me also to trust those I love into your care, knowing that you love them even more than I do.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen