Beloved,
It is my desire to understand His will, to obey and walk happily and steadily on His path. Tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding and let the Holy Spirit fill and control you while going through these devotion.

Yours in His service,
Kees Heijstek,
Woudenberg, Netherlands



How to understand God’s will.

1. Intro.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

We’re all encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future, and his plans for us are good and full of hope. In this passage He planned to give His people in captivity (in deep trouble) to give them a new beginning with a new purpose – to turn them into new people. With God a new beginning is always possible! Furthermore He gives us a guarantee that He will listen to our prayer and that we will find Him if we look for Him in earnest. Wow, this means a guarantee for contact, a real meeting with the Lord, exchange of information, intimacy!

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)

Imagine, perfect peace in this crazy world. With God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. When we are devoted to Him (all whose thoughts are fixed on Him) our whole attitude is steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos (see Philippians 4:7). Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on and your trust in God.

Well, knowing this, start with me the journey to dig in your future, God’s will for your future, His plan for your future with a guarantee that He will listen and that you will find Him who knows the plan for you and your future. Wow, this is cool, the Lord wants to communicate with us and reveal us His secrets. Before you start, realise that you have to obey. The Lord doesn’t like to reveal His will to those who don’t obey to it. Obey is the key! We must determine to obey.

2. Devotion.
28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. 29 “While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about coming events. He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen. 30 And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wanted you to understand what was in your heart. (what you were thinking about) (Daniel 2:28-30)

It is all a matter of expectations. Do we still believe nowadays that “there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets”? And in particular to us? And that He “will show what will happen in the future”. We often think the future is hidden for us and only God knows. This is not true! “He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen”. Why? “But because God wanted you to understand what was in your heart (what you were thinking about)”. He wants to direct your path and wants you to show where to go. He wants to encourage (or sometimes warn or correct) you during your walk you choose in obedience on the path He showed you.

3 Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. (Jeremiah 33:3)

God assured Jeremiah that he had only to call God and God would answer (see also Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 58:9; Matthew 7:7). God is ready to answer our prayers, but we must ask for His assistance. Surely God could take care of our needs without asking. But when we ask, we are acknowledging that He alone is God and that we cannot accomplish in our strength all that is His domain to do. When we ask, we must humble ourselves, lay aside our wilfulness and worry, and determine to obey.

6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. (Psalm 17:6)

First David is taking time (investing) to pray. David is showing here his faith that he is sure the Lord will answer. It’s is also a humble attitude “please bend down”.

God’s Stubborn People 1 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and born into the family of Judah. Listen, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and call on the God of Israel. You don’t keep your promises, 2 even though you call yourself the holy city and talk about depending on the God of Israel, whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 3 Long ago I told you what was going to happen. Then suddenly I took action, and all my predictions came true. 4 For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze. 5 That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen!’ 6 You have heard my predictions and seen them fulfilled, but you refuse to admit it. Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard. 7 They are brand new, not things from the past. So you cannot say, ‘We knew that all the time!’ 8 “Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new, things you never heard of before. For I know so well what traitors you are. You have been rebels from birth. 9 Yet for my own sake and for the honour of my name, I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out. 10 I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. 11 I will rescue you for my sake— yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! (Isaiah 48:1-11)

The people of Judah felt confident because they lived in Jerusalem, the city of God’s temple. They depended on their heritage, their city, and their temple – but this was false security because they did not depend on God. Do you feel secure because you go to church or live in a Christian country? Heritage, buildings, or nations cannot give us a relationship with God; we must truly depend on Him personally, with all our hearts and minds. In verse 3 again we see predictions about their future and that they came true. The Lord explains also why He told them beforehand what would happen in the future: for His own sake and the honour of His name! The Lord will takes care for His own reputation! Revealings of secrets, new things even to stubborn people for His own sake.

16 Come closer, and listen to this. From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen.” And now the Sovereign Lord and his Spirit have sent me with this message. 17 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. 18 Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. (Isaiah 48:16-18)

Like a loving parent, God teaches and directs us. First He is begging us to come closer and listen. He leaves no doubt that from the beginning He told them plainly what would happen what was good for them and directs the paths they should follow. Here we see another reason why the Lord is telling us about the future. To give us the choice (the freedom) to walk in obedience and in faith (see also later about Hebrews 11). The Lord is a gentleman and will never force us to choose for Him.

23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. (Proverbs 1:23)

This one makes me cry. Imagine what this means “I’ll share my heart with you”. Sharing your heart with someone is sharing your deepest thoughts, sharing your emotions, your secrets, sharing who you really are. Again the Lord starts with begging us to listen and gives us the promise to make us wise. Reading this offer it is not fair that we often walk alone and do not listen to His counsel. Lord forgive me where I walked alone and give me an ear to hear, an eye to see and a willing heart to open myself for your counsel.

1 O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. 3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:1-3)

The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to Him earnestly each morning. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with Him daily. David is exalting His name here for who He is “no one but you”. He is also waiting expectantly, which is the right attitude in faith.

8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn. (Psalm 5:8)

This one is cool! “Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn”. Do I have to turn right or left? Apparently David is expecting a very clear and basic answer from the Lord where to go.

4 Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:4-5). 8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees. (Psalm 25:8-10).  14 Friendship with The Lord is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant (Psalm 25:14)

David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God’s guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God’s primary guidance system is his Word, the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God’s Word. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God’s direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then we will receive his specific guidance. We are bombarded today with relentless appeals to go in various directions. Daily we must make many decisions concerning our job, our family, our money etc, and we became sometimes desperate for someone who show us the right way. If you find yourself pulled in several directions, remember that God teaches the humble and all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees. Verse 14 is very cool! God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who fear Him, who hold Him in highest honour! What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend! No one like Him!!
2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. (Proverbs 2:2)

I made this picture in 2005 in the Kruger Park in South Africa. These Hippo is really tuning his ears and concentrated. Wisdom and understanding His will comes two ways: it is a God-given gift and also the result of an energetic search. Wisdom’s starting point is God and His revealed Word, the source of “knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). In that sense wisdom is a gift to us. But He gives it only to those who earnestly seek it. But because God’s wisdom is hidden from the rebellious and foolish, it takes effort to find it and use it. The pathway to wisdom and understanding is strenuous. When we are on the path, we discover that true wisdom is God’s and that He will guide us and reward our sincere and persistent search for wisdom and His will for our lives.

34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the Lord (Proverbs 8:34-35)

What a joy! Watching for Him daily (to understand His will)! At His gates, outside His home (the place to be)! By doing this: finding life and receiving favour from the Lord!

1 Each morning I will climb up to my watchtower  and stand at my guard post. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he[a] will answer my complaint. (Habakkuk 2:1)

The watchman and watchtower, often used by the prophets to show an attitude of expectation (Isaiah 21:8, 11; Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17), are pictures of Habakkuk’s attitude of patient waiting and watching for God’s response. On His watchtower Habakkuk wanted to be in the best position to receive God’s message!

11 “Ask me for a sign, Ahaz, to prove that I will crush your enemies as I have promised. Ask for anything you like, and make it as difficult as you want. (Isaiah 7:11)

At times God invites people to ask for signs. This one is really cool: “Ask for anything you like, and make it as difficult as you want”. In verse 12 as a result king Ahaz respond “No I wouldn’t test the Lord like that”. Ahaz appeared righteous by saying he would not test God with a sign. In fact God has told him to ask, but Ahaz didn’t really want to know what God would say. Often we use some excuse, such as not wanting to bother God, to keep us from communicating with Him. Don’t let anything keep you from hearing and obeying God.

13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.  The Lord always keeps his promises;  he is gracious in all he does.[a] (Psalm 145:13)

Never forget: once the Lord revealed something, He will always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. Search for His will, obey, walk in obedience and trust Him! He will do what He says or revealed to you.

 “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21 He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. 22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” (Daniel 2:19-23).

He has all wisdom and power!!! Daniels prayer was answered. Before rushing to Arioch with the news , Daniel took time to give God credit for all wisdom and power, thanking God for answering his request. How do you feel when your prayers are answered? Excited, surprised, relieved? There are times when we seek God in prayer and, after having been answered, dash off in our excitement, forgetting to give God credit for answer. Match your persistence in prayer with gratitude when your requests are answered.

(Great Examples of Faith):    1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.   8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.    11 It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed[b] that God would keep his promise.   13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth.   17 It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,   20 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. He had confidence in what God was going to do in the future. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. (Hebrews 11)

The Lord communicated with Abraham to leave home and go to another land. He went without knowing where he was going. Abraham obeyed and walked in faith. This is the path: understand His will, obey, walk in faith and receive what God had promised. Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. Birthdays combine assurance and anticipation, and so does faith! Faith is the conviction based on past experience that God’s promises and surprises will surely be ours. Two words describe faith: sure and certain. These two qualities need a secure beginning and ending point. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character – He is who He says. The en point is believing in God’s promises – He will do what He says. When we believe that God will fulfil His promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31). Walk in faith! Faith never knows where it is being led but it loves and knows the one who is leading!!

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. (John 16:13)

If you let the Holy Spirit fill and control you He will tell you about the future, your future. Ask Him anything you want or wanna know and you will be amazed!

28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”  29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 ……….34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”  35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. ………36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” …… (Luke 1:28-38).
Why is the Lord sending an angel to Mary to tell her about what will happen in the future. To encourage her en to test her faith, for it was not only a happy message but very difficult. Being pregnant and not having a husband (normally they could stone you in Israel, she had to escape to Egypt), what would Joseph think about her loyalty? Look at Mary’s faith: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

10 But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

The “deep things of God” refers to God’s unfathomable nature and his wonderful plan – Jesus’ death and resurrection – and the promise of salvation, revealed only to those who believe that what God says is true.

17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[a] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. (Ephesians 1:17)

Just ask the Lord for spiritual wisdom and insight. Purpose: That you might grow in your knowledge of God. Christ is our model, and the more we know of Him, the more we will be like Him. Personal knowledge of Christ will change your life.

5 If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:5-8).

Wow, this one is amazing cool! Just ask Him and he will gladly tell you. James is not talking only about knowledge, but about the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. Whenever we need wisdom, we can pray to God, and he will generously supply what we need. Christians don’t have to grope around in the dark, hoping to stumble upon answers! Wisdom means practical discernment. It begins with respect for God, leads to right living, and results in increased ability to tell right from wrong. God is willing to give us wisdom, but we will be unable to receive it if our goals are self-centred instead of God-centred. To learn God’s will, we need to read his Word and ask him to show us how to obey it. Then we must do what he tells us. Not doubting means: We must have confidence that God will align our desires with his purposes. Trust Him!

The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with Him (2 Chronicles 15:2). Draw close to God and He will draw close to you (James 4:8).

You can have it the way you want. It’s up to you. My prayer is that you will stay with Him and draw close to God. Once you start climbing the mount Zion you will be amazed about the view you will receive at that height.
3. Finally.
Dear friend, I hope and trust this devotion inspired you to open yourself continuously for His specific will with your life. He will speak to you by His mighty word, by dreams, by visions, by prophesy, by revealings, by signs (don’t forget to ask signs which will encourage you during your walk on the path you choose to go in obedience) , by miracles, by other people, etc. Stretch out, reach out to Him. My prayer for you is that your help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep (Psalm 121:2-3)



Be blessed with Deuteronomy 33:26-27a:
There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.

Kees Heijstek. September 2008.

Note: I would advise you to use the commentary out of the “life application study bible” for your personal devotions, which have been used for these devotion too.