The Will of God Exceeds All Else

Luke 8:19–21

“Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”

There is nothing wrong with loving our families, pursuing our desires, or caring about the things that matter to us. Yet, above everything else must stand the will of God.

When Jesus was told that His mother and brethren were outside seeking Him, He used the moment to reveal a profound spiritual truth: our relationship with God must take precedence over every other relationship and desire.

Jesus said, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”

It is not merely hearing the Word that makes us pleasing to God; it is hearing and doing it. The will of God becomes meaningful in our lives when we choose obedience, even when obedience requires us to deny ourselves or set aside what we personally want.

Sometimes, the will of God may lead us in a direction different from the one we planned. Sometimes it may require us to wait, let go, forgive, sacrifice, or walk away from something we deeply desire. At such moments, we must remember that God's will is higher than our feelings, plans, relationships, and ambitions.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this perfectly. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed:

Luke 22:42

“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

That is the heart of true obedience: “Not my will, but Thine, be done.”

When God's will and our will appear to stand on opposite sides, may we have the grace to choose God. For whatever God asks of us, His will remains greater, wiser, and better than anything we could choose for ourselves.

The will of God must never become secondary to the will of man. It exceeds all else.

God's Loving Heart.