Identifying God’s Will

Identifying God’s Will

This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. John 9:3

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Joshua 6:6-16 (NIV) 6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." 7 And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD." 8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there. 12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days. 15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!

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Coming to terms with God’s will is a daily thing. The instructions to the warrior
Joshua must have been perplexing. This is hardly the battle strategy the
Israelites were expecting and it certainly must have been very
confusing for the people of Jericho.

If God were going to give the city over to the people of Israel, why not just knock
the walls down with a fierce storm? If it were necessary for the people to march
around the walls, why not have everything happen on the first day?

I have often felt bewildered in life as apparent contradictions arose which seemed
to be counter-productive to achieving the goals that I felt sure were God-inspired.
At times, I seem to be circling the enemy but unable to make any headway.

I was managing a Christian conference centre following my teaching career and
prior to my involvement with Christian Horizons. It seemed that everything was a
huge battle. While we were able to open for the season, it was a season of
unparalleled challenges for me; the gardens couldn’t be brought up to their former
glory because we had to use student volunteers to prepare them; during our first
weekend we ran out of bread and the closest grocery store was closed; and our
sewage pumps failed (both of them at the same time) which resulted in a nasty spill
at our beach. In addition, there was the challenge presented at the board of directors
level because of the growing deficit.

The attendance was up and the teaching and worship services were
enriching and changing lives.

I was on my knees daily seeking God’s strength and direction. It seemed all my
time was spent putting out fires. I was making no progress at all. At the
end of the season, I was fired.

I will never forget 1975. That year of challenge and frustration was when God
worked His miracle in my life. I was cast on my knees, empty of my usual
resourcefulness and totally dependent upon God. I had earlier asked God to take
control of my life and to lead me. I never expected this was part of my journey.
It was during 1975 that I learned that God does His work in our lives in the
‘valleys.’ I had been wanting a ‘mountain top’ experience. Guess what!
God uses the valleys to bring us to the mountain top of our faith. It is
the daily journey of growth and maturity that is at God’s heart.

Now, as I look back, I realize that 1975 was particularly wonderful. It was
wonderful because I walked with God. His will was for life change in
Noel Churchman — the conference centre was simply His tool.

Is there a particular challenge facing you right now that is hampering your ability to
know and follow God’s will? Will you consider that His purpose is more personal
and that God wants to develop a Christ-likeness in you by helping you
to face this challenge His way?

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Heavenly Father, it seems to me that life could be a lot simpler if You would just let
me know your will from the beginning. I would like to avoid going down any blind
alleys in life, such as taking useless courses or locating in an unsuitable location.
On second thought, I thank You for being so faithful as I trust you one day at a
time. Thank You for the storms in my life that force me into an ever deepening
relationship with You. Thank You for the sunshine and the joy
Your presence brings. Amen.

-Noel Churchman

For the next while our Friday blogs will be excerpts form a book of daily devotionals by Noel Churchman. Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.