And there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it.
The weather outside, the ever-growing crime statistics, evil abounding, loss of income, an errant child, your own upcoming death. Every day in thousands of ways in millions of places, things happen, and there is not one single thing that you can do about it.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
He does as He pleases, He allows all that is occurring to happen, and I ask this very important question of you today, do you say, “Thy will be done,” in acceptance of these truths written here, or do you say those four words in a form of defeatism?
No one in their right mind would ever even contemplate thinking that there is nothing that the Almighty can do about it, it is His will that things are the way they are, or they would not be as they are.
You must understand and accept that truth. He can, if He so desired to, put a stop to everything and everyone at any time.
If there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it, if the circumstances in your life were in no way a direct and intentional action of your own free will, completely outside of your control, how do you say those four words that are to be the standard we bear of our faith, our trust, our confidence in the Living God? What is truly in your heart when you say, “Thy will be done?”
When the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42) there is no other way to understand those words save for in this manner, at that moment He wanted something different for Himself than what our Father in heaven had chosen for Him.
But that one singular word alters the entire tenor of those other four, that word “nevertheless.” It means pure acceptance of the will of God in our lives, without question, completely and totally trusting in Him, no matter the possible consequences to ourselves. And solely out of love for Him.
“Thy will be done” leaves the door open for doubt to enter in, for a lack of trust to come through, a hope that He might change His mind so that we need not suffer. It leaves an opportunity for thoughts of defeatism to arrive.
“Nothing I can do about it, so I guess I might as well just say, thy will be done.”
Adding that one word, “nevertheless” is the purest form of submission to His will, in all humility accepting that no matter what, He is in complete control, that He always knows best, and accepting His will in all confidence and love for Him. “Nevertheless” says,
“And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 72:19)
“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.” (Jer. 29:11)
Trust and obedience, only when those two items are firmly placed in your very soul can you in all honesty, and willingly without reservation say, “Nevertheless, Thy will be done.”
Did our Savior like going to the cross?
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2)
Look past the current circumstances in your life, look beyond all those things that are out of your control, and see them as they are, completely and totally in His control.
All who have been hid in Christ have been shown the path of eternal life, it goes right through the valley of the shadow of death. Hold fast to the promises, learn to say with John “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22:20)