Discovering the Purpose of God for your Life

TOPIC: DISCOVERING THE PURPOSE OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE

Main Text: Acts 9: 1-9

Memory Verse Text: Acts 9:6

We shall base this study upon the question asked by Saul of Tarsus at the very moment of his new birth:  "What shall I do, Lord?”  Did Saul’s conversion just “happen”?; was it by “chance” that he was suddenly converted on the Damascus road, or was it according to a divine plan and purpose? 

 Acts 9:15 tells us that it certainly was “according to plan” – God’s plan.  But has God a plan for my life?  If so, how may I know it and what is involved in finding it? 

There are three characteristics of God’s plan for our lives:

(1) It is a personal plan.  Notice the personal pronouns – “you” and “me” in Acts 9:4.   There is no one else in the world like you, and therefore God’s plan for you is unique and personal – just for you!  He has a purpose to fulfil in and with your life which cannot be fulfilled in and with the life of any other person.

(2) It is a perfect plan.  In Romans 12:2 (which should only be read in conjunction with Romans 12:1), we are told that the will of God, or God’s plan and purpose in the lives of His children, is “his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(3) It is a practical plan.  It is workable and it is thoroughly related to everyday living and service.  It is not a plan which only sounds “good, pleasing and perfect” in a theoretical sense, but it proves to be so in experience!

It is sadly true that some Christians fail to discover God’s plan and purpose for their life, and in consequence their whole life is filled with disappointment and defeat, frustration and failure.  How wonderful to feel that we are achieving something really worthwhile and to know that we are doing it, not for ourselves, but in accordance with the will of our loving heavenly Father! 

 Every unconverted person is living a self-planned life, as Saul was up until the time of his conversion – Acts 9:5; but it is also sadly true that many Christians plan their own lives. We make decisions and choices which afterwards prove to be so wrong. There is nothing greater or more comforting than to know we are in the centre of God’s will, and every one of us can know just that. 

This enquiry as to what God’s will is involves four things:

1. Communion with Him in prayer.  

It is when we know what it is to go regularly into the secret place that the Lord graciously reveals His plan to us step by step.

2. Studying and searching His Word. 

 How wonderfully all the saints of God have been led as they have read and submitted their lives to the commands and guidance of the Word of God! – Psalm 119:105.

3. Prompt and unquestioning obedience.  

God reveals His will as we obey Him – 1 Samuel 15:22.  He only does it a step at a time; Saul had to go into the city before the Lord told him the next step He wanted him to take (Acts 9:6).

4.  Complete and implicit trust. 

We can rarely trace God’s working in our lives, for we are living by faith and not by sight.  This means that we have to trust Him.  The Lord chose Saul to be “a chosen instrument”, and Saul had to trust Him in all the sufferings He permitted in his life – (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).  We must remember that God’s plan includes His permission of life’s testings – 1 Peter 4:12-13 and 19.

PRAYER NOTE:

God guide me by your Spirit to discover your divine purpose for my life, and grant me the grace to surrender and live to fulfil it to the glory of your name.