Finding Joy in God’s Will
Embracing His Path with a Full Heart
Doing God’s Will from the Heart
Walking God’s Path
A Heart of Joyful Surrender
“[Do] the will of God from the heart.”
— Ephesians 6:6
Pursuing God’s will is sometimes misunderstood as a burdensome duty, yet it is, in truth, an invitation into fullness of life. His will is not a mere checklist of duties but a reflection of His boundless love for us. As William Barclay wisely observed, “The Christian life is not a grim duty but a glad privilege.” To know and do God’s will is to find joy in His presence and to experience the life He intends for us—a life of meaning and peace.
This perspective is beautifully echoed in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” God’s will, rather than restricting our joy, invites us into it. The more we align ourselves with His purposes, the more we discover a joy that overflows from His presence. Charles Spurgeon once remarked, “Faith enables us to rejoice even in trials and tribulations,” encouraging us to root our joy in God’s presence rather than our circumstances.
Understanding God’s Will
Scripture invites us to seek God’s will with a heart of understanding: “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Eugene Peterson describes God’s will as “an invitation to life in all its fullness,” a path where grace and purpose intersect, making our lives deeply meaningful. John Stott expands on this, noting that “His will is, in fact, his eternal purpose for us, based on His love and worked out in Christ.”
Matthew Henry adds that doing God’s will “cheerfully, with pleasure and delight,” reflects a heart in harmony with God’s love. God’s will is not about molding us into joyless compliance but leading us toward the abundant life He designed us to live.
Embracing Joy Amidst Difficulty
Habakkuk’s faith stands as a powerful testimony to embracing joy, even in hardship. Faced with scarcity and uncertainty, he declares in Habakkuk 3:17-19:
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the sheepfold
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”
This is faith in action: a commitment to joy independent of circumstances. John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress paints a similar picture in the character of Christian, who endures trials and temptations by keeping his eyes fixed on God’s promises. These journeys of faith reveal that while the path may be difficult, God’s will provides stability and joy.
Cultivating a Heart for God’s Will
Our journey with God requires a heart fully yielded to His will. John Stott once said, “The will of God is a way of life,” reminding us that God’s will is not just about decisions but about who we are becoming in Him. As Charles Spurgeon urged, “If you love the Lord with all your heart, doing His will is your joy.” God’s will becomes not just a path we follow but the refuge where we find our deepest contentment.
Strength in the Journey
When we embrace God’s will from the heart, we find a strength beyond our understanding. Habakkuk’s words,
“The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer”
(Habakkuk 3:19),
Hannah Hurnard, in Hinds’ Feet on High Places, also captures this journey: “Acceptance with joy,” she writes, is a heart that surrenders to God’s will and finds strength in every trial. It’s a call to develop “hinds’ feet,” a resilient, graceful faith that moves upward despite difficulties, confident in God’s love.
Psalm 16:11 reminds us that in the pursuit of God’s will, we discover “fullness of joy” in His presence. He does not promise us an easy path, but He does promise His unending presence, making our feet light even on the steepest climbs. Following His will, as Eugene Peterson described, is “a long obedience in the same direction.” God walks with us, guiding, strengthening, and enabling us to experience the abundant life He promised—rich with purpose, joy, and the peace of knowing we are exactly where He desires us to be.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank You for Your unending love and for showing us the path of life. Teach us to do Your will from the heart, finding joy in Your presence even when the way is hard. Strengthen our faith and help us to trust in Your plans, knowing that You walk with us every step of the way. May our lives reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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