“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The will of God is expressed in the precepts of His holy law, and the principles of this law are the principles of heaven. The angels of heaven attain unto no higher knowledge than to know the will of God, and to do His will is the highest service that can engage their powers.
But, in heaven, service is not rendered in the spirit of legality. When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of. In their ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons. There is perfect unity between them and their Creator. Obedience is to them no drudgery. Love for God makes their service a joy. So in every soul wherein Christ, the hope of glory, dwells, His words are re-echoed, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart” (Psalm 40:8).
The petition, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” is a prayer that the reign of evil on this earth may be ended, that sin may be forever destroyed, and the kingdom of righteousness be established. Then in earth as in heaven will be fulfilled “all the good pleasure of His goodness” (2 Thessalonians 1:11).
We’ve been looking at the Lord’s Prayer and taking time to think about it line by line. It’s our prayer that this study over the few weeks will help make your prayer life more meaningful. This week, let’s think about that little line that Christ told us to pray to God, “Thy will be done.” We’ll be quoting from that great book,