Ellet J. Waggoner
We are taught to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
The only part of this earth in which we are directly responsible that the will of the Lord shall be done is in our own hearts. Therefore it is impossible to pray this prayer unless the heart is surrendered to the Lord for the working of His own will.
“As It Is In Heaven.”—One Scripture which shows how the will God is done in heaven is: “Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Ps. 103:20). The attitude of the angels is that of waiting and listening to catch the first word of the Father’s command, then hastening to do His will. There is no hesitancy; for they go and return “as the appearance of a flash of lightning” (Eze. 1:14).
“In Earth.”—The believer’s attitude is to be the same—heart yielded in willing obedience to the Master, the clamour of self silenced, and ears open to hear the first whisper of the Divine voice, then with feet swift to run in the way of righteousness. That strength that excels is for us also; for we are to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” With “His glorious power” working in the heart “mightily” (Col. 1:29), there is no doubt or hesitation over the question of how the work is to be done. As the Word is received the strength comes, and we may hasten joyfully to do His commandments.
--The Present Truth: September 5, 1895