Romans 1:10-12 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.… or in the will, etc. — Paul seemed to regard the will of God as a straight course, in which he was desirous of sailing; or as a circle, outside of whose radius he would not steer, through selfishness, impatience, and self-judgment. The track marked out on God's chart must be followed, for out of it were shoals and rocks, where he would founder and make shipwreck of his faith. Prayer and the will of God: — There is nothing with which Christians should be more habitually impressed than that God is the disposer of events. They should look to His will in the smallest concerns of life, as well as in affairs of the greatest moment. Even a prosperous voyage is from the Lord. In this way they glorify God by acknowledging His providence in all things, and have the greatest confidence and happiness in walking before Him. Here we also learn that, while the will of God concerning any event is not ascertained, we have liberty to desire and pray for what we wish, provided our prayers and desires are conformed to His holiness. We also learn in this place that, since all events depend on the will of God, we ought to acquiesce in them, however contrary they may be to our wishes; and likewise that in those things in which the will of God is not apparent, we should always accompany our prayers and our desires with this condition if it be pleasing to God, and to be ready to renounce our desires as soon as they appear not to be conformed to His will. "O how sweet a thing," as one has well observed, "were it for us to learn to make our burdens light by framing our hearts to the burthen, and making the Lord's will our law!" (J. Haldane.) Parallel Verses KJV: Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.WEB: requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. |
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