God’s Perfect Will
is what God desires to happen. When we obey what He calls us to do, we are
fulfilling God’s perfect will. Romans 12:2 says “Be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may what the will of God is, that which is good
and acceptable and perfect.”
God’s Permissive
Will is when God allows people to disobey what He wants. He gives us a free
will, which means we can make decisions against His will. Acts 14:16 says,
“He permitted all the nations to go their own ways.”
God’s Permissive
Will went into effect when Israel chose
Saul to be their king. It wasn’t what God wanted, but He allowed them to do
it. The people of Israel told the prophet Samuel to appoint them a king so they
would be like the other nations. God told Samuel, “They have not rejected you,
but they have rejected Me from being king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7).
When Samuel
presented Saul to Israel, he said, “Here is the king whom you have chosen”
(1 Sam. 12:13). King Saul deliberately disobeyed God, so Samuel informed Saul that
the Lord had rejected him as king (1 Sam. 15:26). Not long after this, Samuel
anointed David as God’s choice to be king (1 Sam. 16:13) but it would be
years before David actually took the throne.
Saul continued
being Israel’s king, even though God had rejected him. On two occasions Saul
threw spears at David, trying to kill the future king of Israel. Unfortunately
for David, he had to suffer the consequences of Israel’s foolish choice of
Saul. He spent years running from Saul, who was continually trying to kill him.
Even though God’s Permissive Will was still in effect, God was able to lead
David and protect him from Saul’s attacks. Keep in mind that God is still able to lead and protect His
people, even when an evil king like Saul is on the throne.
Fortunately,
God has a Providential Will, where
God can overrule the Permissive will. We will examine that next week.
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
Over 270 printable Bible studies at www.makinglifecount.net
Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an email when the new devotional is posted)
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
