It’s one thing to know what God’s will is for you in a situation—that is, what He wants you to do. It’s quite another thing to follow through and do His will. In one of his sermons, Bible teacher and author A. W. Tozer pointed out that we have a part to play in doing God’s will. God has given us a free will, and we can use that free will either to do what we know God wants us to do, or we can choose to disregard it and do what we want to do. Tozer reminds us,

The Old Testament tells us “Jacob vowed a vow,” and Daniel “purposed in his heart.” … Above all, we have the example of the Lord Jesus “setting His face like a flint” and walking straight ahead toward the Cross.[1]

Each of these from Bible times made up their minds that they were going to do what they knew God wanted them to do. God doesn’t force us to do His will. Yet, the free will God has gifted to each of us can be firmly set to do what pleases Him. It’s a decision we each make—God’s will or my will?

After God’s people, the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, had entered the Promised Land, Joshua realized he was soon going to die. So, he gathered the leaders of the nation together and challenged them: “Choose you this day whom you will serve.” God presents that same choice to each of us today. Who will you serve—the supreme, eternal God or the god of this world?

Joshua made his decision—and it has echoed down through history: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 ESV).

[1] A.W. Tozer, “Moral Determination,” SermonIndex.net, accessed June 29, 2021, https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=18734&forum=34, 1.