Doing God’s will, or our own?

Joram, king of Israel, was facing a rebellion by Moab. 

After being subject to his father Ahab, the Moabites now refused to pay tribute to Israel, and so Joram allied himself with Judah and Edom to attack the Moabites.

Once again, Jehoshaphat showed poor judgment, as he had much of his life, in choosing his friends. 

Perhaps it was because his son was married to Ahab’s daughter that he allied himself with Joram. 

Perhaps it was because of Jehoshaphat’s own problems with Moab earlier. 

But whatever the reason, it got him into trouble again.

As he and the two other kings were traveling with their armies to attack Moab, they soon found themselves with no water to support themselves.

Then, typical of many people today, Joram placed the blame on God, saying, “What!  Has the Lord called us three kings together only to hand us over to Moab?” (2 Kings 3:10)

Jehoshaphat at least had the wisdom to ask Elisha for help. 

But Elisha showed his scorn for Joram saying, “What do we have to do with each other?  Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.”  (13)

Once again, Joram placed blame on God for his circumstances basically saying, “No.  The only reason we’re here is because God led us here.  This is his fault.”  (13)

But God in his grace, not only provided water for the three kings and their armies, but he also gave them the victory as well.

Nevertheless, the question we need to ask ourselves is this: 

“Are we doing God’s will?  Or are we simply doing our own will in God’s name?”  What’s the difference?

When we simply make our own plans, and ask God to bless them, that’s not doing God’s will.  That’s doing our own will and attaching God’s name to it. 

So often when we do that, we get in trouble, and we start wondering why. 

Then we start blaming God for our problems. 

But that’s not how we are to live.

Rather, we need to be asking, “God, what is your will?  May your will be done in my life.” 

And if we seek him first, and seek his guidance, he will lead. 

It is as we obey him, that we will be prosperous and find success in the things we do.  (Joshua 1:8)

How about you?  Are you doing God’s will?  Or are you doing your own will in God’s name?