“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10)
It is incorrect to say at this time that the will of the Almighty is being done in all places at all times, although it is correct to say that He is in control of all that is occurring. These two statements many seem contradictory to those who have little discernment in Spiritual matters, but I assure you they are not.
If we look at two different instances, it may assist you in seeing these truths as much as this poor writer of letters can assist anyone. When that first thought of the covering cherubim Lucifer entered into his mind that he could be more than what he was, iniquity entered into him, he made a decision that the Lord knew he would make, and that decision was in heaven, “As it is in heaven,” where the will of God is always done.
Satan was created as an integral part of this age, he was created for a specific purpose by the will of God, for grace, love and mercy cannot abound where there is no free will, and “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” (James 1:13) But as God’s will is done in heaven, it is not done on earth, or our Lord would not have made that statement.
“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” (Romans 9:17) That was the will of the Lord being accomplished in the world of man.
“Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:” (Heb. 10:5) And “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” (Isaiah 53:10) The will of God being accomplished solely out of a love for the souls of mankind.
Here, before we continue, you must understand the truth of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” If you have been born again, no matter what happens in your life, you must realize the truth of this verse, along with Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
My friends, it is not the will of God for evil parents to beat their children to death, it is not His will that those who are rich in the things of this world should take advantage of the poor, for animals to be intentionally abused, for the entire earth to groan under the pressure of the curse. The Almighty is in control of all His creation, yet by His wisdom He has determined to allow mankind free will, and that free will rebels against His Sovereign authority.
This He is allowing, His reasons are His own, but these two verses show us in some way that reasoning. “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” (Romans 9:22-23)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2nd Peter 3:9)
That is the will of God for all men, but, and I say this in all hopes of your understanding, that His will at this time on earth is not being done because of the great gift of our free will, which He, in His infinite wisdom, understood as more important than His own.
Difficult words and thoughts to convey, but if you will contemplate them, you will see the truth in them.
Mankind has always rebelled against the will of God, we have always said, “Not thy will, but mine be done.” And the Almighty Sovereign Lord of all creation, with full knowledge of all things, has allowed it to be so.
After thousands of years His patience is coming to an end, He will rule for a thousand years with a rod of iron, yet men will still rebel. “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” (Psalm 82:6)
The wise servant who understands what is written here will say in all humility, “Thy will be done.”
