Acts 22:10-16: Knowing God’s will.

“10 ‘“What shall I do, Lord?” I asked. ‘“Get up,” the Lord said, “and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.” 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12 ‘A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight!” And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 ‘Then he said: “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” ” NIV UK

‘’There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do’’ (10b).

‘’The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will…’’ (14a).

F.B. Meyer writes beautifully about this in his ‘Great verses through the Bible’,pp.410/411. He points out that there is a general will of God for all men. This is revealed in His Word. ‘But in addition to this, God has a particular will for each of his children. The moon shines on the sea, but there is a special path of moonbeams to the spot where you stand, where you should be born, live, and die; what you should accomplish by your life; with what souls you should be brought into contact.’

However, if you are still uncertain as to God’s particular will, what should you do? ‘(1) Carefully remove all your preconceptions and prejudices, so that your mind and heart can be a tablet for God to write on. (2) Set aside much time for waiting on God, in the study of his Holy Word. (3) Let the glory of Jesus be the supreme consideration with you. (4) Do not run to and fro,asking your friends and companions what they would recommend. (5) Wait the Lord’s leisure, nor dare to act unless you are sure that you are in the line of his purpose. (6) Mark the trend of his providence, for it will certainly corroborate his inner voice. (7) When you have once made up your mind in faith and prayer, dare to act and never look back. He will not let you be ashamed.’