My Will or Thy Will?

“When the people willingly offer themselves, bless the LORD!” 
Judges 5:2b 

Willful or willing? The word we adopt for ourselves determines our destiny. Being willful implies a self-willed and stubborn heart; but a willing spirit prays, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” The Bible counsels us to have a willing heart. In Exodus 25:2, the people were asked to give from a willing heart. First Chronicles 28:9 tells us to serve God “with a loyal heart and with a willing mind.” King David, in contributing his wealth to the building of the temple, said, “As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You” (1 Chronicles 29:17). Paul commended those who gave to the Lord with “a willing mind” (2 Corinthians 8:12). And Peter told the pastors of his day, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly” (1 Peter 5:2). Our hearts are naturally stubborn and self-willed. But when we offer ourselves willingly to the full will of God, it blesses the Lord—and it blesses us too! 

“We are never losers from doing the will of God.” George Müller