"Your Will be Done": Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 49

Question 124. What is the third petition?

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. That is: Grant that we and all men may deny our own will, and without any murmuring obey your will, for it alone is good. Grant also that everyone may carry out the duties of his office and calling as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.

Tanong 124. Ano ang ikatlong pagsamo?

Mangyari nawa ang Iyong kalooban, dito sa lupa tulad ng sa langit. Na ang ibig sabihin ay: Ipagkaloob Mo na kami at ang lahat ng mga tao ay tumanggi sa aming sariling kalooban, at walang kahit anong reklamo na sumunod sa Iyong kalooban, sapagkat ito lamang ang mabuti. Ipagkaloob Mo rin na maisakatuparan ng bawat isa ang kani-kaniyang tungkulin at pagkatawag na kasing luwag sa kalooban at kasing tapat ng sa mga anghel sa langit.

Differences of the first three petitions (Ursinus):

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism II. What Do We Desire in This Petition, and in What Does It Differ from the Second?

They differ in the following respect: In the first we pray for sanctification, or for the true acknowledgement and praise of God, together with all his works and counsels. In the second we desire the gathering, preservation and government of the church, and that God may rule us by his word and Spirit, defend and protect us, and deliver us from all the evils of guilt and punishment. In the third, we desire that every one may be diligently engaged in his proper place, direct all that he does to the glory of God, and regard whatever God sends upon him as good and calculated to advance his well-being.

The “will” of God:

Will of decree

Will of command

Why is the third petition necessary? (Ursinus)

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism III. Why Is This Petition Necessary?

That we may be in this kingdom. We cannot be members of this kingdom without doing the will of God. Nor can we of ourselves, on account of the corruption of our nature, do the will of God, if he does not give us the necessary strength. This strength now God does not grant unto any except those who desire it. Hence it is necessary that we should pray to God that he may impart it unto us.

Sa panalanging ito, inaamin natin na likas sa atin ang pagsuway sa kanyang kalooban.

Sa panalanging ito, tinatanggap natin ang pagkakatawag sa atin ng Diyos na mamuhay nang naaayon sa kanyang kalooban.

Matthew 7:21 (ESV)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV)

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Luke 22:42 (ESV)

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Kevin DeYoung: When we pray “Your will be done,” we are confessing our confidence that God knows best, that His plans are good, and His way is always the right way.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.

Psalm 103:20–21 ESV

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism IV. Why Is It Added, as in Heaven?

God does not design to give us perfect deliverance from sin in this life, and yet he wills that we should desire it and constantly pray that we may be wholly delivered from sin.

Kevin DeYoung: The will of God is not our duty or drudgery. It is our delight. And yet, it is a tortuous delight. It requires struggle against sin and the fight of faith. It means death, death, and more death. It would seem easier for God to simply annihilate our wills and infuse our souls with His. But that’s not His way. He prefers slow, glorious growth. He doesn’t want His will in us as much as He wants our will to be His. He wants us to want what He wants, love what He loves, and hate what He hates. Better keep praying.