Thy Will Be Done by J. H. W.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 14, 1877

Thy Will Be Done.

By J. H. W.

This is the second petition in the “Lord’s prayer;” and this prayer was given to the disciples in answer to their request, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” These words are very often spoken, but, as has been said on another subject,

“Who has ever duly weighed The meaning of the words he said?”

It is a great misfortune to the human race that they do not better know how to appropriate and apply things. Sick people are the only ones who really prize health, or place anything like a just value on it. Orphans realize that it is a great blessing to have a good father and mother. None but the destitute know the value of a dollar. To the starving poor a crust of bread is of immense value. But none of these blessings are appreciated under other circumstances. The pampered child throws his bread away as worthless; the spendthrift, spoiled by indulgence, gives the money he never earned, for trifling toys; the healthy and strong violate the laws of their being as if life and health were of no importance; and the child who has been tenderly cared for by kind parents, neither thanks them for their services, nor cares for their feelings. And much of these same traits of character we carry into our religious experience.

The most important and valuable blessings Heaven can bestow are viewed with comparative indifference because they are common; they are enjoyed by so many, and from day to day. And yet, daily as they come, so regularly are words of thanksgiving offered; and too often words only, because there is no realizing sense of the goodness of God in bestowing blessings we do not appreciate.

Thus it is also, that in hours of ease and prosperity, we say the words of the petition, Thy will be done; but when adversity comes, when trials and afflictions are before us, we quickly show that we have a will to be consulted in the matter! Few, very few, when trials press upon them, stop to inquire how God is to be glorified, or whether the hand of a loving Father has ordered them—whether they are among the “all things” that “work together for good”—to be glorified in as the means of working patience and “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Rom. 5:1–5; 2 Cor. 4:17. But trials and tribulations are generally regarded as unmitigated evils, to be escaped from as soon as possible, and almost by any means.

In nothing was Jesus a perfect pattern and example more than in humility and submission. In no point did he more beautifully and forcibly illustrate the spirit of the prayer which takes his name than in the part above referred to. Circumstances led him to adopt these words as his own request; and we may be instructed to mark those circumstances—among the most interesting in our Lord’s history. It was not in Cana of Galilee, at the marriage; not at the supper made for him by wealthy friends; not even while he was going about doing good, admonishing the erring, setting free the captive, and comforting the disciples. But it was in the garden; in the hour of his agony, alone, and uncared for by his chosen followers; when his soul was sorrowful even unto death; after three times asking his Father to remove the bitter cup if it were possible; there was the triumph of submission; there he meekly desired that his own will might be set aside, and only his Father’s will be done.

If we would indeed follow our Saviour and be like him, we must learn to submit cheerfully to the will of God, and resign our own wills in the hour of affliction and trial. Trial tests our faith; it tests our professions of resignation. Many have prayed, “Thy will be done,” who had yet all imaginable reservations for contingencies. To utter these words “in spirit and in truth,” we must earnestly desire that, under the most bitter trials through which we may be passing, and under all circumstances in which we may yet be placed, our will may not be consulted, but that God may use us to work out his own will in all that we can do or bear; and this not by constraint because we must, but cheerfully, because it is the will of our Father in Heaven. Thus only shall we follow Jesus and bear his cross; thus may we find rest to our souls.

J. H. W.