Setting Our Sails in the Will of God
Setting our sails in the will of God means aligning our lives with His guidance and direction, trusting that He will lead us in the right path.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of aligning our wills with God's will, explaining that God desires to sanctify rather than destroy our wills. He highlights the transformative moment of surrender, where our will is purged and united with God's, allowing us to make sincere vows and intentions. Tozer contrasts the impulsive promises of Peter with the reverent vows of David and Daniel, reminding us that God discerns the heart behind our pledges. By setting our sails in the will of God, we can navigate life's challenges confidently, regardless of external circumstances.
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In the kingdom of God what we will is accepted as what we are. If any man will, said our Lord, let him. God does not desire to destroy our wills, but to sanctify them. In that terrible, wonderful moment of surrender it may be that we feel that our will has been forever broken, but such is not the case. In His conquest of the soul God does not destroy any of its normal powers. He purges the will and brings it into union with His own, but He never breaks it.
In the diaries of some of God's greatest saints will be found vows and solemn pledges made in moments of great grace when the presence of God was so real and so wonderful that the reverent worshiper felt he dared to say anything, to make any promise, with the full assurance that God would enable him to carry out his holy intention.
The self-confident and irresponsible boast of a Peter is one thing and is not to be confused with the hushed and trustful vow of a David or a Daniel. Neither should Peter's embarrassing debacle dissuade us from making vows of our own. The heart gives character to our pledges, and God knows the difference between an impulsive promise and a reverent declaration of intention. Let us, then, set our sails in the will of God.
If we do this we will certainly find ourselves moving in the right direction, no matter which way the wind blows.
Sermon Outline
- The Will of God and Human Will points: - God accepts human will as what we are - God desires to sanctify human will, not destroy it
- Surrender and Union with God points: - Surrender is not destruction of human will - God purges and unites human will with His own
- Making Vows and Pledges points: - Vows are made in moments of great grace - God knows the difference between impulsive and reverent promises
- Setting Our Sails in the Will of God points: - Setting our sails in God's will means moving in the right direction - God's will guides us regardless of external circumstances
Key Quotes
“In the kingdom of God what we will is accepted as what we are.” — A.W. Tozer
“God does not desire to destroy our wills, but to sanctify them.” — A.W. Tozer
“Let us, then, set our sails in the will of God.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We should make vows and pledges to God in a spirit of reverence, humility, and trust in His enabling power.
- Setting our sails in the will of God means trusting that God's guidance will lead us in the right direction, regardless of external circumstances.
- Surrendering to God's will means yielding to His guidance and empowerment, not losing control or autonomy.