Read Matthew Chapter 16:21-23.
The Best Place To Be Is In God’s Will.
One day Jesus has a conversation with His disciples that “He MUST GO to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” Having heard this, Peter took him aside and began to rebuke Jesus, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus responded to Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interest, but man’s!”
Jesus has alluded to the fact that he would one day die but on this particular day he gets very specific with his disciples: one day He will suffer from the elders and religious leaders, be killed, and raise from the dead on the third day.
Now we know this was necessary for the forgiveness of sins because we’ve read “THE BOOK” but the disciples didn’t. Jesus said “HE MUST” do this…. Meaning it was God’s will and he had to be obedient to his father’s wishes. It was necessary for bringing salvation to the world. But Peter saw this as a threat to what he perceived how the life of Jesus should look like for him and the Jews. From his viewpoint, and from his desires, this was a huge mistake. So from a selfish standpoint he challenged Jesus. He met well yet his thought process opposed that of the Lord God. Jesus would have nothing to do with anything that opposes the will of God his Father.
What has happened in our life, or is currently happening, that was or is God’s will and we strongly oppose it because it’s not what we wanted but was or is actually necessary in order for God to accomplish what he desires, and not what we desire?
Sometimes our flesh hates change yet God calls us to a new job, new location, new place to live, new ministry, etc, and we oppose it. Or we are excited about it, but someone we love strongly opposes it and tries to talk us out of it. Parents hate to see their children grow up into adults and move away to another city or country. And they’ll fight against it because of their interests and not God’s interests.
The best place we can be is in God’s will! It means having to forsake our selfish desires, our families desires, our friends desires, and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us into his new adventure for our lives. It may mean walking A Hard Road but it is necessary in order for God to challenge us where we need to be challenged, be equipped for what he wants to accomplish, to grow in areas we DEFINITELY need to grow in.
Are you currently in a battle between your desires and God’s desires? Rebuke the devil and forsake all others and surrender your heart and will to God, then be obedient to his LEADING and see what he does.
