Gray clouds filled the sky as the Sheriff trudged up the dusty road back to Nottingham Castle.  The notorious Saxon, Robin Hood, had captured him and held him for three days.  Now he was free but not before relinquishing his horse and five pounds of gold. 

Many times the Sheriff had tried to apprehend the outlaw but had been foiled on every attempt.  He needed another plan.  Marching into Sherwood Forest with a hundred Norman knights was not the answer.  Robin would ambush them, escape into one of his tunnels or ride away from danger.

No, there had to be another way.  What if. . .  What if he somehow made Robin come to him?  Bait was what he needed.  But what kind of bait?

Robin often boasted that he had disguised himself and slipped into Nottingham Castle on several occasions.  Perhaps they could entice him with a contest of marksmanship.  Robin's skill with the bow was legendary, at least among the commoners.   

Later, after speaking with the Prince, his Highness decided to hold a contest.  The prize would be a silver arrow and the title: Greatest Marksman in Nottingham.  Both men agreed that Robin could not resist the challenge. 

And they were right.
 
The sun beamed down through a clear sky on the day of the competition.  Dressed as peasants, Robin and a few of his merry men easily melded into a contentious gathering of Normans and Saxons. 

Robin entered the contest and quietly awaited his turn.  Guessing that the Sheriff had set a trap, Robin instructed Little John to spread the word that he, the humble peasant, was not only a skilled archer but a loyal Saxon as well. 

The Sheriff and his men held their peace until the contest came down to the final two:  Robin Hood and a Norman knight.  Robin hit the bullseye on his first try but missed on the second.  On his third attempt, he again pierced the bullseye and won the competition.

By then the Prince and Sheriff were certain that Nottingham's champion was the scoundrel of Sherwood Forest.  After awarding Robin the silver arrow, the Prince ordered his knights to seize him. 

But Robin stepped back into a group of celebrating Saxons who quickly hoisted him on their shoulders and carried him away.  Minutes later, Robin and his men escaped unharmed.

                                                                     ********

You may be wondering, what does Robin Hood and an archery match have to do with God's will?

In the New Testament the Greek word used for Sin is Hamartao, which means to miss the mark.  Missing the mark (or bullseye) is, of course, an archery term. 

Sin not only encompasses moral depravity but it denotes any deviation from God's will, even by the slightest amount.  A bowman whose aim is off by only by an inch or two may miss the entire target.  In archery, precision is everything. 

Successfully hitting the bullseye signifies the opposite of sin, that is obedience to divine will.  Similar to the Nottingham contest, an accurate shot can lead to victory over those forces warring against heaven's purpose. 

In the Old Testament, God's will was summed up in the Mosaic Law.  In the New Testament, Jesus unveiled that he was the fulfillment of the Law.

It certainly makes sense that Christ is the embodiment of God's will and we must look to him alone for guidance. 

Though true, this statement is more a platitude than tangible advice, and, regrettably, this is where some teachers of the Gospel close their Bible and signal for the worship team to begin their song. 

But let us dig a little deeper. 

Jeremiah prophesied in Jer 31:34:  "After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

So where is God's will found?  In our hearts if, indeed, Christ is dwelling there.

But how can we hit the mark every time?  

We can't.  Even the master of all bowmen, Robin Hood, missed the bullseye on his second attempt. 

However, if we allow God to stand behind us and direct our arrow, we cannot miss.  Only then will we know victory.        

 <>God's will is one day at a time<>