“…that I may come to yo with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you…” – Romans 15:32
Paul’s final request in Romans 15 is deeply personal. He writes, “that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you” (Romans 15:32, NKJV). This wasn’t a casual closing line—it was the longing of a weary servant who wanted his journey to Rome to be marked by joy, not frustration; God’s will, not human striving; refreshment, not exhaustion. Paul didn’t just want to arrive—he wanted to arrive in step with God, carrying joy that comes only from obedience. In a world obsessed with outcomes, Paul reminds us that true joy is found not in results, but in surrender.
That phrase “by the will of God” reveals the posture of Paul’s heart. He wasn’t chasing comfort—he was pursuing obedience. Abraham modeled this same obedience when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. There was no explanation, no promised outcome—only a command. And Abraham went. God said, “Now I know that you fear God” (Genesis 22:12, NKJV). The test wasn’t the result—it was the obedience. Jesus modeled this perfectly in Gethsemane when He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJV). Through that surrender, salvation was accomplished. Scripture shows again and again that God’s greatest works flow from hearts aligned with His will—Hannah’s prayer produced Samuel, Elijah’s prayer brought revival, and Jesus’ prayer brought redemption.
When Paul prayed to come to Rome “with joy,” he wasn’t asking for an easy road—he was asking for a God‑directed one. And God answered that prayer in a way Paul never expected: he arrived in Rome in chains, yet overflowing with joy because he knew he was exactly where God wanted him. That’s the mystery of prayer. God answers not simply to make us comfortable, but to make us fruitful. His answers are higher, wiser, and richer than our requests. As Isaiah reminds us, His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). When we pray in faith and align our hearts with His will, we can trust that every answer—yes, no, or wait—is part of a greater plan that glorifies Him.
Pray not just for outcomes, but for obedience. Seek not just answers, but alignment. Ask God to shape your desires, direct your steps, and fill you with joy that comes from walking in His will. And trust that whatever He allows, wherever He leads, and however He answers—His purpose is perfect, His timing is wise, and His joy is waiting for those who surrender to His will.
“Happiness does not depend on our outward circumstances, but on the state of our heart. The secret of real joy is to have a will in harmony with God’s will.”
—J.C. Ryle
surrendered devotions 