'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 8

The great design of God in his Word is to make us doers of his will. Doing the will of God is evidence of sincerity and our love for Christ. Failure to do God's will is foolish, because in denying God's will, we do the devil's will. It is dangerous to avoid God's will, for then he will have his will upon us. If we do not obey his will that is commanded, we shall obey it in being punished. Doing God's will is for our benefit and our own self-interest. It is as if a king commanded a subject to dig in a gold mine, but gave him all the gold he was able to dig. What God wills is not so much our duty as our privilege: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God' (Jer. 7:23)—‘I will give you my angels as your guard, myself as your portion, my Spirit to sanctify you, my love to comfort you, and my mercy to save you.' To do God's will is to our honour, and his commands do not burden us but adorn us. To be employed in doing God's will is the highest mark of honour that a mortal creature is capable of. Doing the will of God makes us like Christ: 'I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me' (John 6:38). By doing God's will on earth we are akin to him and are of the royal blood of heaven. Doing God's will on earth brings peace in life and in death. In keeping his precepts there is great reward (Psa. 19:11). Walking closely with God in obedience gives a secret joy in the soul. If anything will make our pillow easy at death, it will be that we have endeavoured to do God's will on earth. Did you ever hear anyone cry out on their death-bed—‘I have done God's will too much'? No! If we are not doers of God's will, we shall be looked upon as despisers of his will. To disobey is to slight and scorn him. Doing God's will is both your comfort and your crown.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Thomas Watson, The Lord's Prayer, pp. 151-156
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