The Power of Submitting to God's Will

The following is taken from Devotionals Daily from faithgateway. Entitled "Just Jesus" by O.S. Hawkins. October 29, 2025.

Not My will, but Yours, be done. — Luke 22:42

Many well-­meaning believers rush into the promise of James 4:7–8, which says we are to “resist the devil and he will flee,” attempting to resist the devil and draw near to God. But they completely ignore the first phrase of the verse, which calls us to “submit to God.” Our ability to resist satanic influences and overcome in life has a prerequisite. First and foremost, it calls on us to live a life of submission to God’s will and way and not to insist on our own.

To submit literally means to “line up under.”

The first step in overcoming our setbacks and sins is to place ourselves under the lordship of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished by a single act of our will, which precludes having our own way. Our life becomes characterized by “His will, not our will” and “His way, not our way.” It is closely akin to the prayer Jesus Himself prayed on the eve of the crucifixion in Gethsemane’s garden:

“Not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Are you facing a situation in which you need to submit to God’s will? What is it, and how can you submit?

Stop and Listen

But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. — Luke 24:29

After the crucifixion, two of Jesus’ followers walked home to Emmaus in discouragement, saying, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). But they had buried that hope when Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb.

Then, suddenly —­ the resurrected “Jesus Himself drew near and went with them,” but they “did not know Him” (Luke 24:15–16). Later “their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight” (v. 31). And their response? “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road?” (v. 32).

Their glowing hearts turned into “going” hearts. They “rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem” to exclaim to all the others,

“The Lord is risen indeed!” (vv. 33–34).

Maybe your hopes have been dashed and your dreams smashed. Stop. Look. Listen to Jesus’ Spirit through His Scriptures. He is still speaking. You just might walk away with your own heart burning within you.

When have you failed to recognize Jesus working in a situation and then suddenly realized He was right there with you?

Excerpted with permission from Just Jesus by O. S. Hawkins, copyright Dr. O. S. Hawkins.

Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel