Partnership “Your Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven”
Partnership
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”
There was a time when heaven and earth existed in perfect harmony and God could survey his creation and call it “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Indeed, in the beginning everything in creation was working in beautiful harmony because only one will was operating in the universe, and that was the perfect will of God. However, the rebellion of Lucifer (Isa. 14:12–15) and the disobedience of our first parents (Genesis 3; Rom. 5:12–21) introduced other wills into the world, and this brought division and conflict between heaven and earth. In heaven, God’s will is always done by the angels and the saints in glory; but on earth, lost sinners, demons, and even God’s own people rebel against the Lord and want to have their own way.
God in his grace seeks to bring heaven and earth together, and he will never change his plan. He bridged the gulf between heaven and earth by sending three gifts to our rebellious planet: his inspired Word, his beloved Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son of God to us as we read the Word of God, and those who trust Jesus are born into the family of God and have the privilege of speaking to God in prayer. Prayer is a “partnership” between God and his church that enables him to accomplish his will on earth through the witness of his obedient people. The apostolic church put “prayer and the ministry of the word” first on their agenda (Acts 6:4), and so should the church today.
The immediate purpose of prayer is the accomplishing of God’s will on earth; the ultimate purpose of prayer is the eternal glory of God. This is why Robert Law wrote, “Prayer is a mighty instrument, not for getting man’s will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done on earth.”16 True prayer means more than simply asking for what we think we need and adding Jesus’s name to the list; it means praying as Jesus prayed. “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). Our Lord’s half-brother James understood this distinction and wrote, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3).
Again, consider Robert Law’s words above: “Prayer is a mighty instrument, not for getting man’s will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done on earth.” The believers praying on earth must be available for God to use them to help answer their prayers if that is his will. True prayer is a partnership between heaven and earth. The apostle Paul understood this important truth and frequently requested the churches to pray that God would accomplish his will in and through him.17 Even with all of his education, spiritual insight, and experience, Paul knew that he could not do his work alone.
Before sin entered the human race, our first parents were in partnership with God and doing his will. God created the animals, but it was Adam who gave them their names (Gen. 2:18–20). God planted a garden for Adam and Eve to live in, but they had to tend it (Gen. 2:8–15). In the conception of their children, the man and woman shared the creative work of God, in whose image they had been made. Before sin entered the world, what was done on earth was willed from heaven and given heaven’s blessing. There was no fear in the human heart, nor was there any desire to try to change God’s mind. It was pure partnership between a loving God and our first parents who loved their Creator. It was not until sin entered the scene that the man and woman hid from God.
Occasionally I have counseled with people who were actually afraid of the will of God and terrified at the thought of surrendering themselves completely to him. Even familiar verses like Romans 12:1–2 disturbed them because they had concluded that the will of God was something painful and perilous that must be avoided. They were sure that if they yielded themselves to Christ, they would be sent to some distant and dangerous place where they would waste away in oblivion. There would be no joys, no adventures, no love or marriage; just loneliness and a monochrome miserable existence.
In our conversation, I would have them read Psalm 33:11 aloud several times—“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Once they grasped the beautiful truth that the will of God comes from the heart of God, their fears began to fade away. They had to understand that what God wills for his children is the expression of his love for them. “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
If they still needed more encouragement, I would show them John 4:34 where Jesus says, “My food . . . is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” The will of God is nourishment, not punishment! To live and serve in the will of God means to mature spiritually day after day, to discover our gifts and use them joyfully, and to become all that we can become for the glory of God. The more we do the Lord’s will, the more we enjoy the Lord’s best blessings that he has tailor-made especially for us. When it comes to God’s will, one size does not fit all. God’s plan for each of his children is individual and personal.
Listen again to Robert Law: “God is Love. The Will of God is pure, unchangeable, holy Love working for the highest goal of every creature.”18 Partnership with the Lord in prayer and service is a deepening expression of his divine love for us and our love for him, for his people, and for a lost world. Can we want anything greater than this?
God’s will is not only the expression of his love and the imparting of spiritual nourishment, but it’s the sharing of Christ’s yoke. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).
Those words are so familiar that it’s easy to miss the full message they convey. Christ was addressing people who were weary from struggling against the cares of life, and who were burdened by the demands of a difficult religious system that didn’t come from the Lord (Matthew 23). Our Lord gave three invitations: come, take, and learn. If they came to him, he would give them rest in their hearts because their sins would be forgiven. If they took his yoke, he would walk with them and help them carry their burdens. And if they learned from him, they would find a deeper rest in his grace and love.
The unconverted person wears a heavy yoke of sin that grows heavier each day. The outwardly religious person wears a yoke of rules and rituals that bring no relief. But the children of God are united to Christ and wear a yoke that is easy (“fitted”). They carry a burden that is light, because “his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). This is a summary of true discipleship.
When we pray for God’s will to be done in our lives and in God’s world, we are walking in the light (see 1 John 1:5–10). God’s Word is a lamp (Ps. 119:105), and “the unfolding of [his] words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130). “For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light” (Prov. 6:23). “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Prov. 4:18).
As we walk in the light, God gives us more light. The account of Paul’s conversion illustrates this truth. It is given three times in the book of Acts. In Acts 9:3 Luke tells us that “a light from heaven flashed around him [Paul].” Looking back on that experience, Paul himself says, “A bright light from heaven flashed around me” (Acts 22:6). Later Paul told King Agrippa, “I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun” (Acts 26:13). “A light . . . a bright light . . . a light brighter than the sun. . . .” In Paul’s spiritual walk, the light kept shining brighter, and so it should be in our walk with the Lord.
Jesus compared doing God’s will to drinking the cup the Father prepared for him (John 18:10–11; Mark 14:32–36). Peter wanted to protect Jesus from arrest and trial, but it was the Father’s will that the Son suffer and die. If the Father has “mixed” the contents of the cup especially for us, should we resist it or refuse it? “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup” (Ps. 16:5). When we live by faith, the cup of suffering becomes a “cup of salvation” as we obey him (Ps. 116:13). Yes, there are times when obeying God’s will is costly and painful, but not doing God’s will is even more costly and painful.
When we think about the angels doing the will of God, we must admit and confess our own shortcomings. The angels obey the Lord immediately, without excuse or delay, and they do God’s bidding joyfully as they seek to please their Lord. We can’t conceive of disagreements or competition among them as they humbly serve together, because their concern is to glorify God. But even more, their obedience involves the worship and praise of the Lord. “If God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven,” wrote P. T. Forsyth, “prayer begins with adoration. . . . We stir up all that is within us to bless and hallow God’s name.”19 He reminds us that our petitions should be “purified by adoration, praise, and thanksgiving.”20 This may explain why, in the Lord’s Prayer, “hallowed be your name” precedes “your will be done.” First we worship and then we serve.
Consider these examples from the Scriptures.
Moses had been away from Egypt for forty years. Then he met God at the burning bush, took off his sandals, hid his face, and worshiped. In that awesome meeting, he learned God’s name, experienced God’s holy power, and surrendered to do God’s will and return to Egypt to deliver his people. But the obedience of Moses wasn’t a shallow emotional response to the great suffering of Israel in Egypt; it was a heart response to the greatness of God in heaven. Yes, the need was there, but it had to be met by someone whose heart had been moved by worship.
Before he said “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah saw the Lord “seated on a throne, high and exalted” (Isaiah 6). There wasn’t much holiness in the kingdom of Judah, despite their outward show of religion. Isaiah knew that he and his people were sinful, but when he beheld the holiness and greatness of God, his life was transformed. That is what moved him to obey when the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” The need is always great, but it isn’t news stories and statistics that should move us to obey God’s call. Our motivation must be the greatness and glory of God. “Hallowed be your name . . . your will be done.”
When the prophet Habakkuk saw the Babylonian army coming to attack the kingdom of Judah, he questioned the wisdom and justice of God. He talked to the Lord about it (chapter 1) and then quietly listened to God’s answer (chapter 2). But the thing that changed the prophet from questioning to rejoicing and from prayer to praise was the revelation of the greatness and glory of God (chapter 3). God revealed his glory to his servant in a storm that left Habakkuk with a pounding heart, quivering lips, and trembling knees (3:16). Habakkuk’s confession of faith in 3:16–19 is one of the greatest found in the Scriptures.
Luke records that the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas into wider ministry while the spiritual leaders at the church in Antioch were “worshiping the Lord and fasting” (Acts 13:1–3). While on the Damascus road, Paul had seen Jesus and heard his commission; but it was in a local church worship service that he received the go-ahead signal to begin evangelizing the nations. The result was one of the most remarkable ministries in the history of the Christian church.
What does all of this have to do with knowing and doing the will of God?
I had been ministering many years before I finally had the discernment to understand the important relationship between Romans 11:33–36 and the familiar “dedication invitation” in Romans 12:1–2. I had never connected the two passages! I knew that the chapter break in our translations wasn’t put there by Paul, and that the word therefore in Romans 12:1 connected the two passages; but I didn’t stop to ask why. Here’s the way I should have read Romans 11:33–12:2.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Before Paul admonishes us to submit ourselves to God as living sacrifices, he first invites us to bring praise to the Lord as adoring worshipers. This benediction contains four verses that we must heed if we are really serious about doing the will of God.
• Don’t try to explain God’s ways (v. 33). It can’t be done. Just do what he says by faith and he will take care of everything. Faith is living without scheming.
• Don’t try to change God’s mind (v. 34). You’ll be the loser.
• Don’t try to buy God off (v. 35). His will is nonnegotiable. You don’t bargain for God’s blessings; you obey his commands.
• Don’t try to steal God’s glory (v. 36). Then you’ll miss everything God wants to give you. He will provide all that you need, but he will never give his glory or praise to anyone else (Isa. 42:8).
Meditate on those four admonitions and you will probably think of people in Scripture or in your circle of family and friends who ignored them and experienced disappointment and difficulty as a result. (Maybe you’ve done it yourself!) “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Ps. 119:67).
One more consideration: please note that Romans 12:2 says “test and approve what God’s will is.” The verb test means “to discern, to find and to follow,” as in testing metals and separating the gold from the dross. It suggests that God’s guidance usually involves several factors that must be evaluated carefully, such as circumstances, personal counsel, Scripture, self-examination, and the Spirit’s inner direction. The Good Shepherd who died for us also lives for us and wants to guide us, and we can trust him.
The clear statements of God’s Word are excellent guides in the everyday decisions of life. For example, nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament epistles for God’s people to obey today—the fourth commandment is not—and so we never have to ponder whether it’s okay to lie, steal, covet, blaspheme, and so forth. The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1–12), the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19–26), the evidences of love (1 Corinthians 13), and the practical admonitions of the Word (such as Ephesians 4–6; Phil. 2:1–19; 4:1–9) cover just about every area of the Christian life. God’s dealings with Israel in the Old Testament (1 Cor. 10:1–13) and the example and teachings of Jesus in the four Gospels (1 Peter 2:21) certainly reveal what God expects his people to do today.
According to 2 Timothy 3:14–17, the Scriptures are adequate for teaching us, rebuking and correcting us, and training us for our walk, our witness, and our work. In some places the Scriptures boldly say, “This is the will of God.” For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says that maintaining personal sexual purity is the will of God. First Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 affirm that it is God’s will that sinners trust Christ, so we should not be discouraged in our witnessing. First Peter 2:15 says that doing good works is the way for believers to silence the opposition, and it may even be God’s will for us to suffer wrongfully (3:17). Praying for those in authority is the will of God (1 Tim. 2:1–3), although you don’t hear that kind of praying very much.
It’s also important to be acquainted with the major characters in the Bible, both the wicked and the righteous. By studying their lives, you will discover the basic principles of successful Christian life and service.
One word of caution: some decisions we make are more important than others, so be sensible. I knew a seminary student who prayed about every choice he made—the breakfast cereal he ate, the color of the socks he wore, what corner he should use in crossing the street—and the practice eventually led to a breakdown. Yes, God can and does work in matters that seem unimportant at the time, but this is where we trust him as we walk daily in the Spirit. Years ago I attended a birthday party at which a friend casually suggested I go to seminary with him and be his roommate. It was late in the summer and I didn’t think I had any chance of being accepted, but I was! It was there I met the girl who has been my wife since 1953. I also made some lifelong friends at seminary, including two professors whose instruction and friendship enriched my ministry immensely.
In 1 Corinthians 10:27, Paul writes, “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go” (italics added), which suggests that the believer’s decision wasn’t of an earthshaking nature. How the believer behaves at the meal is Paul’s major concern. If we are living in the Word and seeking to glorify Christ, the Spirit will direct us when we must make these “routine” everyday decisions. If we unintentionally begin to move in the wrong direction, the Lord will stop us and instruct us (Phil. 3:12–14). Paul called this “keeping in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).
When we pray “your will be done on earth,” we are praying for ourselves as well as for the church in general. If we permit the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7), the God of peace will guide us. “Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths” (Ps. 25:4).
What should we do when we think we’re making the right decision only to learn that the Lord has other plans? I once applied for a job and was accepted; but then I had such heaviness in my heart, I knew I’d made a mistake. Immediately I phoned the company and bowed out, and God’s peace returned. Shortly after that, a much better situation opened up for me. I was sincere in my praying and planning, but I was also sincerely wrong. “For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Ps. 103:14).
Take King David, for example, in 2 Samuel 7. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord, and from his many battles he had collected immense wealth to pay for it. He even had the official blessing of Nathan, his court prophet. But the Lord instructed Nathan to tell David he was not to build the temple; rather, his son would build it. David’s prayer is a perfect example of turning “disappointment into his appointment,” as Dr. A. T. Pierson used to express it. God told David he would build a “house” (family) for him, and from that house the Messiah would be born! God’s denials usually result in special blessings that more than compensate for anything we think we have lost. David submitted to the Lord and made the preparations necessary for Solomon to build God’s temple.
Numbers 20 records how Moses lost his temper at Kadesh, struck the rock, and robbed God of the glory only he deserved. Moses also robbed himself of the privilege of leading the nation into the Promised Land. Apparently he prayed more than once that the Lord would allow him to enter Canaan, but this angered God, who told him to stop asking (Deut. 3:23–28). Why was the Lord so hard on Moses? For one thing, if Moses had led Israel into their inheritance, it would have contradicted the teaching in Hebrews 4. That chapter tells us that Joshua is a type of Jesus (his name means “Jehovah is salvation”). Only the grace of Jesus Christ, not the law of Moses, gives us our spiritual inheritance. Jesus is our Joshua who leads us in triumph to claim our rich inheritance (2 Cor. 2:14). But Moses did finally enter the Holy Land! It was on the Mount of Transfiguration where he and Elijah saw the glory of Jesus Christ (Matt. 17:1–13). That experience more than compensated for the blessings he missed at Kadesh.
During his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions wanted to minister in Asia, but God closed the door. He also closed the door when they headed for Bithynia. While waiting at Troas, Paul got his orders from the Lord and went to Philippi, where a new church was established that was close to Paul’s heart (Acts 16:6–12). Paul’s letter to the Philippians is my favorite epistle, and I would be unhappy if it were not in the New Testament. I’m sure many other people agree with me.
There’s a great difference between sincerely making a mistake and deliberately rebelling against God. Moses knew he was commanded to speak to the rock, but he disobeyed and struck the rock, and for this sin he had to be disciplined. When God is not permitted to rule, he often overrules and is able to bring blessing out of disobedience and disappointment.
In this present evil age, we are surrounded by people who ignore or oppose God’s will, and even hate God’s will, as they try to stop the church from bearing witness to the truth. Their motives are so selfish and their methods so deceptive that it’s easy for us to despise them and want to see them removed from the scene. However, the same laws that give Christians the freedom to spread the gospel give these merchandisers of muck the right to peddle their wares. Unfortunately, there are many things that are legal that are not necessarily moral or biblical.
But we must never allow our hearts to become hard and bitter as we witness sinners on earth defying the God of heaven. Jesus wept over the wickedness of Jerusalem in his day (Matt. 23:37–39), and that’s a good example for us to follow. So is the example of the writer of Psalm 119:
“Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed” (v. 136).
“Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word” (v. 161).
“Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart” (v. 69).
“Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law” (v. 53).
“They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts” (v. 87).
In other words, we should feel anger because of the seeming success of sin while at the same time praying for the sinners. If we react only in anger, we will be fighting the enemy with their own weapons, not the Lord’s; but if we respond in agony—which is anger mixed with compassion—we are fighting with God’s weapons, as did Jeremiah, “the weeping prophet,” centuries ago. (See Jer. 9:1; 10:19; 14:17–18; 23:9–12.)
In spite of the fact that the earth is full of wickedness and violence, as in the days of Noah (Gen. 6:5, 11–12), to those who live by faith “the earth is full of his unfailing love” (Ps. 33:5) and “the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isa. 6:3). We are in partnership with God, praying that his will be done on earth even as it is in heaven. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
I’m not personally responsible that the whole earth obey the will of God, but I am responsible to pray this prayer and see to it that I obey his will joyfully from my heart (Eph. 6:6). I can either encourage other people or provide them with an excuse, and I want to be an encouragement.