This morning I began a 30-day challenge encouraged by Pastor John MacArthur. His challenge is to read the Epistle of 1 John every day for 30 days with the intent of digging into God's Word deeply, rather than taking a flyover approach to a casual reading study. As he explains in his Foundation of Faith message, this continual look into these 5 chapters for 30 days will allow the Holy Spirit to guide me into areas I might lightly pass over. And in truth, this IS Bible study: thoroughly seeking God through his written instruction.
So for the next 30 days I what to share what God has brought to my attention through the faithful study of His Word.
March 6, 2022: 1 John 5:14-15
"And this is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."
I have prayed prayers and asked things that I have seen God answer with a resounding, "Yes!" Almost 10 years ago, we looked to God for a miracle. It was a brain tumor in a close friend with little hope given by the doctors. 10 years later, this person just witnessed their daughter's wedding. But I have also prayed for things or circumstances that I did not see God answer: other cancer situations, other young lives at the point of death, and even personal requests in my own life.
The difference? "...according to his will." It's not that he didn't hear me, didn't care, or just didn't want to give us what we are asking, rather, every request is based on his will. His purpose, not just in this small moment of time that I live in His story. Because this is his story. From the creation to the moment sin came into the world, to the sending of the Redeemer, and the coming redemption. It's His story, and he has the ultimate plan. That plan may include the things I desire, or they may not. It's his will, not mine. But also remember that whether we get the answer we want or not, all things work together for good for those who follow him (Romans 8:28).
So should I still pray? Absolutely! He desires to hear your prayers (Phil 4:6), he desires that we come before him with confidence (Eph 3:12), but let us never forget the model of prayer from Jesus himself: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" ( Matt 6:10).
Pastor Walt
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