Daily Devotional – Not My Will Be Done

Our scripture for the Daily Devotional scripture today is Mark 14: 32-42. Jesus gave us a great example by submitting before the Father. No matter what challenge or difficulty faced Jesus, He sacrificed His will for the kingdom of God.

“ They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

I feel that so much of my life as been lived by me asking God to bless my plans and my efforts. Instead of me taking the time to learn and see His plans first, I run off with my own ambitions. I have often asked God to come alongside me and bless me along like some kind of genie. His “magic” touch will get me over the finish line and I will see my desires and plans fulfilled.

Jesus gives us such a great example before His crucifixion of submitting to God the Father’s will. I can only imagine that since Jesus mentioned it, that His contemplation of what lay ahead, had Him hoping for another path. Facing the pain and anguish ahead, it is easy to understand Jesus asking if there was another way.

In the same way that Jesus surrendered His will to the Father, so we need to surrender our desires, dreams, and ambitions before God. One of the reasons I believe that we do not surrender it all is found in our sinful hearts and minds. We do not truly trust God to do what is best for us and think that we would do a better job managing our destiny.

God knows better than we do, and He has your best interests!

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You that Your will is to bring me a future of hope. Your plans and will offer me the best future and best life. I choose to release and submit my will and life to You. Not will be done, but Your will be done today and every day henceforth.

In Jesus name
Amen