The Permissive Will

Thursday 16 November
READ: Num. 22:12-22   
MORE LESSON:  Psa. 106: 14 – 15

The way of self-will is the way of destruction but the path of the will of God is the path of peace.  Many believers are being destroyed because they insist on their own way as against the way of the Lord. This is depicted vividly in the life of Balaam. The Lord told him not to go and curse Israel but because of the many riches and pleasure that the Moabites promised him, he kept wearying God with prayers of inquiry until the Lord granted him the go ahead even though it wasn't God's will.

Many believers have made up their minds about what they want to do before  they start bombarding God with prayers to endorse their decisions. Even when God tells them ‘No’, they keep praying and fasting as if that will force God's hand to change and allow them. Finally, they get a release to go the way they want and they say it is God that gave them a go ahead. No, God didn't, you made God to let you. It is like when we were kids, we would weary out our mothers with so much crying that they give us what they didn't want to. They tell us, 'Take and don't kill me. Whatever happens to you, you are on your own.'

Psalm 106: 15 captures this scenario right: the children of Israel kept pestering God with complains to give them flesh to eat in the wilderness. The Bible says, And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. There are many believers that are victims of God’s permissive will. God warns them not to go into a particular relationship, business or career but they refuse the counsel of God.  They keep pestering, fasting, praying and pushing ahead even though they have been warned that it is not God's will. The Lord does not force His will on any man, so He allows them to obey the idol in their heart but then the consequence will be theirs to face.

Balaam faced his consequence; he was disgraced as a prophet. Even an animal eventually had more sense than him. God left him and began showing visions to a donkey. He left God and joined camp with idol worshippers because of greed. Consequently, when the children of Israel were to destroy the inhabitants of the land and possess the land of Canaan, Bible records that, Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them: Josh 13:22.  Balaam walked the path of the permissive will and was destroyed for it. You will not be adamant in going against God's will, in Jesus’ name. Receive the grace to walk in the will of God in every area of your life. 

Prayer/Action
* Submit your will to God and ask Him to have His way in your life and matters.
* Rebuke the spirit of arrogance and self-will in your life and receive a humble heart to submit to God.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I command all pharaohs and all evil task masters over my life, hear the word of the Lord, my time of release is now, let my destiny go now, in the name of Jesus.