WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 17 of 32 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." (1 John 5:14) -- Tomorrow:
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that we have eternal life . . . And if WE KNOW that He hears us, whatever we ask, WE KNOW that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him . . . WE KNOW that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. WE KNOW that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And WE KNOW that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that WE MAY KNOW Him who is true . . . " (1 John 5:13-21, NKJV)
Knowing that our petitions are heard by God is a spiritual milestone. But the matter does not end there. It is not enough that our prayers are heard, they will be granted! That is the promise of our text. "And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." The Spirit is very precise in the statement of this reality. He does not say if the Lord hears us He will answer us. Rather, He focuses on our knowledge, or persuasion, that He has heard us: i.e., "If we know that He hear us." He will not allow us to drift into philosophical thought on this matter, but draws us back to the knowledge that springs from faith.
"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:15).
Other versions read, "And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him" (NASB), and "And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of Him" (NIV).
This is a legitimate kingdom experience, and is to be pursued expectantly. If, in the sense of our text, God "hears" what we have asked, obtaining that request is sure. God does not withhold what He is pleased Him to give – and He hears every petition that seeks such things.
Again, the example set before us is the Lord Jesus Himself. Hear Him as He speaks to the Father. "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I KNEW that Thou hearest Me always" (John 11:41-42). That is the Captain of our salvation speaking. He is blazing a trail that His brethren will follow, pioneering, if you please, the path of petition.
CONFIDENT ASKING
In Christ both Jews and Gentiles "have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18). Again, it is written, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Rom 5:2). The great dispensary of grace – "the throne of grace" – is open to all who are in Christ Jesus. What is more, the Savior who is seated upon that throne is able to be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb 4:15). In view of this wonderful circumstance, we are urged to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).
But we are not speaking of a mere formality. While relatively unknown among believers, it is possible to pray confidently within the will of God, and with a sense of expectancy. Thus, it is written, "we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Eph 3:12, NKJV). If, therefore, we are not able to come boldly, or we lack confidence, it is NOT because there is no provision in Christ for such things.
Behind this wonderful promise is the assumption that believing on the name of the Son of God moves us into the heart of God's will. It will not allow us to seek our own selfish will, but joyfully involves us in the purpose of God. Faith will never take us outside of the will of God. Only unbelief can do that. Further, faith will always push us toward the center of God's good will and eternal purpose, never placing us at variance with the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. While this ought to be apparent to all of us, contemporary religion has made it exceedingly difficult to maintain this awareness. Such vain religion tends to lull men into "the sleep of death" (Psa 13:3), so they become insensitive to the Word of God. Thus enslavement to sin becomes inevitable.
The Spirit will now provide us a concrete example of this truth namely, that God hears and grants the petitions that are pleasing in His sight. As you might expect, the example will prove challenging to us. He will not set some simplistic matter before us, but will speak of things that are lofty and require a strong and unwavering faith. Rest assured, what is said is within your reach, else the Spirit would not have moved John to affirm it.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to be noted in heaven for the manner in which I pray, as well as the focus with which I pray.