“When you have done the will of God you will receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV.
God’s will is forever aligned with His promises, purpose, and providence.
My thoughts and comments today are about “after obedience.”
Naturally, most of us are impatient. People want what they want sooner rather than later. People are a lot more interested in receiving what they want than in doing what they should. Success in the first is very much dependent on attention to the latter. Do what you should; that precedes all other good. When you do what you should, you receive what is promised. That’s the way it works in life, and that’s the way it works in your faith.
Spiritual life is neither sourced nor sustained by your efforts, but neither is it apart from your righteous works of faith. James said, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead [without life-giving ability]. Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:17-18 NKJV. Salvation is by grace alone, undeserved and unearned. “For it is by grace you have been saved . . not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV. James addresses everyday life, which follows His work of grace. God created you for righteous works, “. . which [He] prepared in advance.” Realize your calling and destiny is possible only by God working in and through you.
Time and effort are wasted trying to earn something from God; instead, concentrate on knowing and doing God’s will, while trusting God to fulfill His “. . exceedingly great and precious promises.” Read 2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV. There are many promises in the Bible, every one sure and eternal. The Bible provides a simple qualification, “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that [after] you have done the will of God you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 NIV. You cannot omit the qualifying words, “. . [after] you have done the will of God . .”
God’s promises always relate to His will and timing, before an individual’s desire or momentary need. The verse referenced above was written to specific people facing suffering and persecution. In their difficult situation, they were to rest in God’s will and trust His promises. Observe the context for each promise. It is over simplistic to presume any and all promises are just yours for the asking whenever you choose.
Who has not read a wonderful promise in God’s Word and claimed it as their own, then been confused if the promise seems not to be fulfilled in the way or time they desired? Is God unfaithful to His promise? Or to you? I think not! Nor will He be. “There has not failed one word of all His good promise.” 1 Kings 8:56 NKJV. God’s will is forever aligned with His promises, purpose, and providence, in general to all as well as individually to you.
Your focus is personal submission to the primacy of God’s will, with loving embrace of His wisdom always – “that you may prove [for yourself] what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” See Romans 12:1-2 NKJV. “Those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” find His will perfect, His ways superior, His timing impeccable. Hebrews 6:12 NKJV.
My prayer for you this day is that you are faithful to God and find Him faithful to you.