Charles Spurgeon on Prayer - Day 8

YOUR WILL BE DONE

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10

God knows what will best minister to His gracious designs. He ordains all things according to the counsel of His will, and that counsel never errs. Let us adoringly consent that it shall be so, desiring no alterations. That will may cost us dearly, yet let it never cross our wills. Let our minds be wholly submissive to the mind of God. That will may bring us bereavement, sickness, and loss, but let us learn to say, "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes" (1 Samuel 3:18) We should not only yield to the divine will, but acquiesce in it so as to rejoice in the tribulations that it ordains. This is a high attainment, but we set ourselves to reach it. He who taught us this prayer used it Himself in the most unrestricted sense. When the bloody sweat stood on His face, and all fear and trembling of man in anguish were upon Him, He did not dispute the decree of the Father, but bowed His head and cried, "Not my will, but Yours be done."


If the prayer had not been dictated by our Lord Jesus, we might think it too bold. Can it ever be that this earth, a mere drop of a bucket, should touch the great sea of life and light above and not be lost in it? Can it remain earth and yet be made like heaven? The earth that is subjected to vanity, defiled with sin, furrowed with sorrow, can holiness dwell in it as in heaven? Our Divine Instructor would not teach us to pray for impossibilities. He puts such petitions into our mouths as can be heard and answered. Yet it is a great prayer; it has the hue of the infinite about it. Can earth be tuned to the harmonies of heaven? It can be, and it must be, for He who taught us this prayer did not mock us with vain words. It is a brave prayer that only a heaven-born faith can utter. Yet it is not the offspring of presumption, for presumption never longs for the will of the Lord to be perfectly performed.


Up yonder there is no playing with sacred things: they do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word. Would that God's will were not alone preached and sung below, but actually done as it is in heaven.


Father, whatever Your will may cost me this day, it is far less than what it cost Your Son. May Your will be done. Amen.


Acquiesce: to yield, agree, or consent quietly without protest, but without enthusiasm.