The Will of God

I've found myself in a position recently looking afresh at how to "know" the will of God.  I realize there's no thunderbolt that will come from the heavens to zap the wrong choice, but I wanted a new perspective on how to pray about this particular issue.  Everything I found in my research, from scripture to scholars, directed me to do one thing first - read/study/meditate on God's word.  Simply praying for clarity in a choice, or for God to open or close a door, would not do.  Rather, I had to be grounded in the knowledge of Him to be able to have the wisdom to know what He would have me do.  Among the words I found to give me counsel were these, and I share them today in case you too are having to make a decision or seeking clarity about a situation you are in: 

Psalm 119 - Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word...I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Romans 12 - 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.
Proverbs 3 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Matthew 6 - So do not worry...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Romans 8 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Hebrews 10 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
2 Corinthians 8 - For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

So if you're at a fork in the road, join me in spending some time meditating on scripture, praying and relying on the Spirit to intercede, and persevering and giving yourself to the Lord - I'm confident that we'll find peace in a decision if we take these steps to prepare.