Asking God His Will: Are You Making the Right Choices?

All of us face numerous choices and make countless decisions every day of our lives. Surprisingly, many omit a very important component vital to successful decision making.

Joshua 9 tells the story of the people of Gibeon. The Gibeonites were Hivites, one of the wicked peoples in Canaan that God said He would destroy (Exodus 23:23).

The Gibeonites heard about God’s renown and what He did to the Egyptians and to the inhabitants of Jericho. To prevent the destruction of their people, they decided to deceive Joshua and the elders of Israel into believing that they were ambassadors from a country far away. They succeeded, and Israel made peace with the people of Gibeon. Three days later, Joshua learned that the Gibeonites were his neighbors that God had commanded him to destroy.

What went wrong? How was Joshua supposed to know about the Gibeonites’ deception? Joshua 9:14 answers this question: Joshua and the elders “did not ask counsel of the LORD.” Before making major decisions in our lives, do we ask God? And if so, how do we ask?

Say no to fortune-tellers

Scores of people today go to the wrong sources to try to find answers to questions they have, to try to find true love, happiness, guidance and wisdom. They consult palm readers and tarot readers or put their faith in crystal balls, astrology and numerology. Did you know that our Creator God forbids such practices (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)?

On the other hand, a famous king in the Bible, King David, delighted in obeying God’s law. David consulted God when he had decisions to make (1 Chronicles 14:10, 14). God answered David and made him prosper.

God still answers such prayers today, through our studying His Bible, meditating on it and seeking wise counsel.

A relationship with God

God wants people to consult Him for advice, to put their confidence and faith in Him, to turn to Him for help and to trust in His mercies.

Through the pages of the Holy Bible, students of the Scriptures can discern God’s longing for a special relationship with the people He created. Notice Jesus’ lament to the people of Jerusalem: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

King David’s heart was entirely for God; he meditated on and practiced God’s law passionately. David had an excellent relationship with the great and awesome God of all the earth.

Do we long for such a relationship with God the same way David did or the same way God desires it? Do we consult God or do we put our confidence in man?

A repentant heart

The Scriptures are very clear: None of us can have a good relationship with God when sin is involved. The Bible states that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4, King James Version). The psalmist knew that God would never answer his questions or prayers if sin would have been in his heart (Psalm 66:18). The apostle John confirms that “whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

If one wants to be successful in life and make good decisions, he or she must not only consult God but consult the Almighty with a pure heart.

Be reconciled to God

In 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul urges us to “be reconciled to God.” Many fail to examine themselves before coming to God; they fail to repent. Their sins separate them from God.

Before we make decisions in our lives, do we ask God His will, with an attitude of reverence and a desire to be reconciled to Him? Sometimes we sin against God, and we don’t even realize it. Are we making sure we seek forgiveness every time we come before Him?

Hurry up, time is ticking away!

Why wait? Take the time to read Proverbs 1. It is about a gift of God called wisdom. God says that if people refuse wisdom, “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. … But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:28-30, 33).

What are you going to do? Do you desire a special relationship with God? Do you want to get answers to your prayers, make good decisions and prosper? You must first experience true repentance and be reconciled to God!

Hervé Irion is a member of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Houston, Texas.

For related reading, see:

• What Is Repentance?
• You Reap What You Sow
• “Father, Will You Answer Me?”