What happens when your will clashes with God’s will for you?
In Genesis, we read about a group of Noah’s offspring who put their will before God’s. God’s plan for them was to “be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth” (Gen. 9:1). Noah’s kids did okay with the first part, to “be fruitful and multiply” but had other plans than to “replenish the earth.” Their will clashed with God’s will for them.
“Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there … Then they said, “
Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves
, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (vv. 11:1–2, 4).
But the Lord interfered with their plans: “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth … ” (v. 7).
When the parsonage we had lived in for 10 years had to be sold due to church financial strain, I desired to find a single-level home in the town where we lived. I was facing medical issues, so my plan felt right to me. Our daughter and son-in law offered for us to live with them in a small apartment in their home located in another part of town. I resisted that move, but grumpily went along with it “for now.” Little did I know, my health condition would worsen and having family close by would be just what I needed, especially when my husband had to be away on a God appointment. I’m now happily reconciled to what was obviously God’s will for my life.
How about you? Can you let go of your will and trust God’s plan for your life?
Marcy Alves, Concord, N.H.
Extended Scripture: Genesis 10-12, ESV
