Knowing God's Will
Just as identity grants access instantly, so knowing who we are in Christ opens us to God’s will moment by moment.
📚 Devotional Credit
Immeasurably More by Ray Stedman (Colossians 1:9)
📸 Photo Credit
Photo by Unsplash
Many of us grew up imagining the will of God as a cosmic map—an itinerary we had to decode: where to live, whom to marry, what job to take. But Ray Stedman brings us back to something richer and far more relational: knowing God’s will begins not with finding out what to do, but with learning who we are.
Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9 wasn’t focused on externals. He longed for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through wisdom and understanding given by the Spirit. The message? Discovering God’s will is not a matter of external direction—it’s about spiritual discernment. That discernment starts when we begin to grasp the identity God has given us in Christ. We’re not who we used to be. We’re no longer our own. Our desires are no longer central. We’ve been remade, and life now flows from the One who indwells us.
As that awareness deepens, so does our alignment with God’s will. Our behavior, decisions, and desires begin to reflect the nature of Christ within. That’s why Paul puts such emphasis on spiritual wisdom. The natural mind can’t grasp this—it must be Spirit-given. And understanding? That’s where the rubber meets the road. Wisdom shows us the heart of God. Understanding shows us how to walk in step with that heart in everyday life.
Instead of anxiously pleading for direction, we can open the Scriptures with confidence. As we yield to the Spirit, He shows us how God views our situation—and how He is already present in it. When our starting point is identity in Christ, the path ahead often becomes much clearer.
📓 Personalized Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My beloved, you do not need to chase answers like one groping in the dark. I have not hidden My will from you—I have made it known through My Spirit, who now lives in you. My will is not a rigid plan you must decode, but a Person in whom you abide.
You have been made new. You no longer live for your own gain or comfort, because I have filled you with Myself. As you look into My Word, I open your eyes to see not only truth but also who you now are. From that place of understanding, your path begins to shine with clarity. Not because you have mastered life, but because you are resting in the One who has.
My wisdom is not cold data—it is the life of Christ shaping your thoughts, affections, and actions. As you wait with Me and walk with Me, I give you eyes to see what I see. And with that vision, I also give understanding—timely clarity for each step.
You are not alone in this. You don’t need to manufacture insight. You are joined to Me, and My Spirit is your wisdom. My Word is your anchor. Your life is hidden with Christ in Me. Live from that place, and you will know My will—not as a map, but as a moment-by-moment fellowship with Me.
Scripture References: Colossians 1:9–10; Ephesians 1:17–18; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:12–16; Philippians 2:13; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4; 2 Peter 1:3; John 16:13–15; John 15:4–5; Hebrews 13:21; Psalm 32:8
🔍 Real-Life Analogy
It’s like unlocking your phone with Face ID. You don’t type, search, or scan—you simply look, and it recognizes you. In that instant, access is granted—not because of effort, but because of identity.
In the same way, the will of God unfolds not through striving but through recognition: knowing who you are in Christ. As you look to Him and trust Him in the moment, access to wisdom and understanding is granted—not earned. For instance, when you're overwhelmed by a difficult conversation, instead of strategizing in the flesh, you can pause, remember that Christ lives in you, and allow Him to respond with His gentleness and truth. The Spirit will make clear what to say and when to remain silent.
🙏 Prayer of Confidence
Father, I thank You that I’m not wandering blind through life, hoping for a sign. Your will is not distant—it is near, because You are near. You’ve made me new in Christ and filled me with Your Spirit. I rejoice that wisdom and understanding are already mine in Him. I rest in Your faithful guidance, trusting that as I look to You, Your life in me will lead me in every step today.