Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

This morning, there are many misquoted verses in the Bible. This verse is right up there at the top of the list, and the misquotation really muddies the true meaning of the verse. Many will quote this verse thusly, "Thy will be done 'on' earth, as it is in heaven." While many will say, "What is the harm in one word?" This harm is far-reaching, and has great negative effects. It is imperative that we read, understand, and rightly divide what the Book is saying. As one elder so eloquently put it, "You have to know what a text is saying before you can understand what it means." Therefore, we should strive to know exactly what is said before we start trying to apply things.

This verse is found in the midst of the model prayer that our Lord gave for His disciples (then and today). It contains the proper address, supplication, and closing to a prayer. We are beseeching the Lord's will to be done in earth as it is in heaven. Now, if the text truly did say "on earth" then we could surmise that we are praying for the Lord's will to be done in the world in which we live. However, there are some in this world that are seeking to do the very opposite of the Lord's will.

But, what does it mean to be done "in earth?" Paul says in I Corinthians 15 that Adam (our father) was made of the earth earthy. We are told that we bear this image as well. All of us (without exception) are comprised of the very dust of the ground. To dust we are, and to dust we shall return. Our bodies, upon death, go back to the earth. Therefore, this prayer is asking the Lord's will to be done in US. We are asking the Lord to reveal what we should be doing, and to help us follow after it with all of our being. This puts a very different meaning on the supplication to our Lord. One might say, "I thought that the Lord's sovereign will is worked and none can do otherwise." It is true that the Lord works His will and none can stay His hand or say what doest thou. However, the Lord's will is worked when we are disobedient. He chastises us (justly) according to His will when we transgress. Likewise, He blesses us according to His will when we are obedient. (Isaiah 1:19) This means that His will is worked in either case whatever our circumstance.

But, we are praying that His will be worked in us as it is worked in heaven. Now, there are no transgressions in heaven. There is no heartache, suffering, or sorrow. Therefore, we are beseeching Him to work His will in us to the purpose of blessing and praise. We know that He will punish us for wrongdoing, but we never pray to do ill so that punishment will come. We pray that we would be faithful followers of Him, servants to His cause, and soldiers in the spiritual warfare of this life. May we ever pray that we would be found faithful in His service, our families, community, and wherever He blesses our footsteps to go in this present timely world.

In Hope,

Bro Philip