And far from leaving one feeling "vulnerable," I think that such submission makes one strong and sheltered.

Great devotional!

Great point. Amen.

Oh yes; I agree with Sandi in that full submission always gives me a sense of peace because I know I don't have to fight the battle alone, I don't have to feel fear of hell because of guilt, so all is good.  They always say that children are more secure with boundaries and when I admit it, it is the same with me....thank you, Sir!

You're entirely welcome!

I like this material from Glenn Burris. I really do! It brings out some good points to consider for anyone desiring to fulfill God’s will for their life. But may I add one point of disagreement?  I think there is something more important than knowing the Lord’s will for our life. And that is being in His will.  And actually, we don’t need to know His will, His plan, to be in it. In fact, knowing His will could actually make it harder for us to fulfill it! (Would it have been easier for Joseph to fulfill God’s plan for him if he had know he was going to be sold into slavery and then later thrown into prison?)

Let me insert here some words from George Warnock. He makes the point better than I do.  “Just here, I would remind God's chosen ones, and especially the younger ones who are zealous for God. Do not try to get some kind of a 'plan' from God for your life, so you can start working on it! If you work on your plan, you will very likely spoil it! Or God may spoil it for you! You need only to know that God has a plan for your life, get to know His voice, do His will today and every day, and commit yourself into the hands of a loving God, and a very capable Predestinator. As you walk in God's will, you cannot miss God's intention for your life. And as you present yourself to Him a 'living sacrifice' -- you will learn to walk in His ways, and come to know His voice more clearly.”

Present ourselves a living sacrifice – and then trust God that He will accept that sacrifice and that He does have a plan for it – a grand and glorious plan – and that He will, indeed, fulfill that plan.  No matter what our present circumstances look like! No matter what happens, don’t withdraw that sacrificial offering! Leave it all in His hands. Trust Him. Believe Him. Faith in Him. That’s what it takes, that’s what He’s looking for. The unfolding of our life – that’s been given to Him – will reveal (“prove”) what His perfect will for us is. Let our response be the same as Mary’s:  “I am the Lord’s servant.”

Great point. This is a distinction that's good to make, especially for those who believe in prophecies and words from the Lord.  Mary knew something about the future because of the prophecies, but, as you and Warnock say, she still had to stay in God's will, day to day.  She had no clue how to be the mother of the Messiah, and as we see in the Gospels, she failed for a while.  Perhaps the reason for that failure was that she had a preconceived idea about what the Messiah should be.  I think that Warnock and Burris agree, if my understanding is correct, since Burris does end with the quote from Mary, "I am the Lord's servant."  That's the answer to knowing His will or being in it, right? 

Amen