When God’s Will Isn’t Clear

When God’s will feels unclear, the faithful posture is not certainty but obedience. The heart of this teaching traces Paul’s writing from a prison cell—Philippians 4:6–9—as a blueprint for living when future paths are fogged. Instead of bargaining for neon signs or testing God with fleeces, the proper response is to stop trying to control outcomes, to pray instead of worry, to give thanks for what God has already done, and to fix thoughts on what is true, honorable, and lovely. These practices shape a life that follows God’s will even when the map isn’t fully visible.

Several common obstacles keep people from walking in God’s will. Over-spiritualizing leads to searching for extravagant confirmations and missing ordinary callings; the Gideon story exposes how signs can become tests rather than trust. Control and preference masquerade as discernment when people seek God’s permission for their plans instead of God’s direction, and pride requires pruning before some callings can be received. Distraction and noise from the modern world blunt spiritual hearing; being still requires intentional space-making, not passive scrolling. Finally, hurry distorts judgment: closed doors, delays, and hardship often serve as God’s refining work, forming character to carry the calling rather than as evidence of divine disfavor.

Practical attention falls on rhythms more than revelations. Prayer that replaces anxiety, gratitude that counters entitlement, disciplined thought-life that leans toward what is excellent, and persistent practice of learned habits—these are the ways God’s peace, which surpasses understanding, takes up residence. Following God’s will thus looks less like assembling certainty and more like cultivating courage to obey: taking small faithful steps, trusting God’s provision, and allowing hard seasons to teach endurance and holiness. The promise is that God’s peace and presence accompany those who adopt these postures—not when everything makes sense, but in the faithful practice of them now.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Obedience reveals God's will Obedience reframes discernment: rather than waiting for full certainty, obedience produces clarity as God’s purposes unfold through faithful action. Small acts of faith reveal character and open doors that theory never will. The pattern of Scripture shows that following in the present often exposes the next step. [48:07]
• 2. Let go of control Control is the enemy of surrender; when people gather armies of their own making they risk missing the power God intended to supply. Surrender asks for courage to depend on God’s provision, not on human resources or status. True worship and witness happen when God gets the glory for what cannot be explained by human effort alone. [54:28]
• 3. Create quiet to hear God Modern noise numbs spiritual perception; intentional stillness is a cultivated discipline that protects the soul from distraction. Turning down the feeds and making space for prayer and Scripture is not escape but necessary training to recognize God’s voice. Regular quiet becomes soil where conviction and direction can grow. [61:44]
• 4. Patient faith in closed doors Closed doors and delays often refine readiness rather than indicate rejection; waiting forms the character required for future responsibility. Patience is not passive resignation but active trust that God is preparing what haste would ruin. The long, low work of refining produces what instant success cannot sustain. [64:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [43:38] - Thanks to worship & team
• [44:46] - Series: Onward — context
• [45:19] - Bargaining with God anecdote
• [46:45] - Reframing God's will
• [48:07] - Philippians 4:6–9 paraphrase
• [51:16] - Obstacle: over‑spiritualizing (Gideon)
• [54:28] - Control vs. surrender (300 men)
• [60:14] - Distraction and making space
• [64:20] - Waiting, closed doors, and refinement
• [71:19] - Practice, peace, and next steps
• [74:10] - Communion transition

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon:

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:6–9 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Observation questions

1. The sermon suggests reframing God's will not as something to be found, but as something to be followed. What does it mean to "follow" God's will, as opposed to "finding" it? [47:01]
2. The passage from Philippians mentions praying with "thanksgiving." What is the significance of including gratitude when we bring our requests to God? [48:07]
3. The sermon highlights Gideon's story as an example of over-spiritualizing God's will. What specific actions did Gideon take that demonstrated this tendency? [51:16]
4. The sermon contrasts "control" with "surrender." What was the outcome for Gideon's army when God reduced their numbers, and what does this reveal about God's power versus human effort? [54:28]
5. The sermon talks about the "noise" of the modern world. What are some specific examples of this noise mentioned, and how does it affect our ability to hear God? [01:00:14]
6. The sermon uses the analogy of cooking barbecue to explain the concept of "low and slow" refinement. What does this analogy teach us about how God works in our lives, especially during difficult times? [01:06:07]

Interpretation questions

1. Paul writes, "Do not worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything." [48:07] How does the act of praying about everything, rather than just worrying, shift our perspective and potentially lead to God's peace?
2. The sermon states, "God's will is revealed not through my certainty. God's will is revealed through my obedience." [50:42] How can taking small, obedient steps, even without full certainty, lead to a clearer understanding of God's direction?
3. The sermon points out that "Control is the enemy of surrender." [59:24] In what ways might our desire for control over our lives prevent us from fully surrendering to God's plan, even when we believe we are seeking His will?
4. The sermon suggests that "distractions... make us numb." [01:01:51] How can the constant barrage of information and opinions in our culture numb our spiritual senses, making it harder to discern God's voice?
5. The sermon notes that "closed doors do not have to be punishment. Often, are protection, redirection, not yet, or I will make you ready." [01:05:34] How can we learn to interpret closed doors and delays not as signs of God's disapproval, but as opportunities for His refining work?

Application questions

1. The sermon encourages us to "pray about everything" instead of worrying. [48:07] What is one specific area of your life right now where you tend to worry, and how could you intentionally shift that worry into prayer this week?
2. Paul instructs us to "fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable." [48:32] What are some practical ways you can intentionally focus your thoughts on these positive things, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged?
3. The sermon highlights that "obedience reveals God's will." [50:42] What is one small, faithful step of obedience that God might be calling you to take this week, even if you don't have a clear picture of where it will lead?
4. The sermon challenges the idea of "bargaining with God" or seeking extravagant signs. [45:19] How can you cultivate a posture of trust and obedience, rather than seeking constant confirmation, in your daily walk with God?
5. The sermon emphasizes the need to "create quiet to hear God." [01:01:44] What is one intentional change you can make this week to create more space for stillness and listening to God, perhaps by reducing distractions?
6. The sermon suggests that "patient faith in closed doors" is crucial. [01:04:20] When you encounter a closed door or a delay in your plans, how can you actively trust that God is working and preparing you, rather than seeing it as a sign of rejection?
7. The sermon concludes by urging us to "keep putting into practice all you learned and received." [01:12:17] What is one specific practice from Philippians 4:6-9 that you commit to actively practicing this week to cultivate God's peace in your life?