Conforming To God's Will

Genesis 31. Jacob had been away from home twenty years. Now it's time to go back. But how did he know? How did he know it was God's will? How do we know God's will? How does God direct us? Well first, He directs us through the inner witness in the heart. Sometimes we call it a 'tug on our heart' or a 'gut feeling'. But for the Christian, who is walking daily in prayer and is earnestly expecting God's 'still small voice', we know that inner witness for who He is: The Holy Spirit. God still directs us with that inner witness of the heart, just like he did Jacob who had an inner desire to return home (Gen.30:25).

Second, God directs us, as He did Jacob, through outward circumstances around us (Gen.31:1-2). Toward the end of those six critical years, Jacob noticed that his in-laws weren't as friendly toward him as before. Circumstances aren't always the finger of God pointing out His way (Acts 27:1-15), but they can be significant indicators of God's will. When God wants to move us, He occasionally makes us uncomfortable and "stirs up its nest" (Deut.32:11).

The third and most important way God leads us is through His Word. God had already spoken to Jacob in a dream (Gen.31:10-13), but Jacob remained in Padan Aram to acquire his wealth. Then God said to him, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you" (Gen.31:3).

There is a fourth factor, and that is confirmation from others. Jacob took time to share his thinking with Rachel and Leah. Both Rachel and Leah agreed that their father hadn't been fair with Jacob or loving toward them, and then it was time to make a new beginning.

Is it time for you to make a new beginning? Are you facing some big decisions like changing churches or changing jobs/careers? Whatever decision you're facing, know that this pattern is always found in the Bible. Henry Blackaby, in his monumental work called "Experiencing God", said that when these four factors line up, then you can proceed knowing that it is the will of God. When the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, the outward circumstances, the Word of God, and the confirmation of others ALL LINE UP, then you can be assured that God is conforming you to His will. All that is left is for you to obediently step forward and follow Him. When God shows you these four things around a certain decision you need to make, what you do next really indicates whether you believe God or not. You'll either step forward in obedience or stay put in disobedience. The decision is yours!