“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
Have you ever been disappointed by not receiving what you prayed for?
We probably all have. We ask for something and God doesn’t give it to us. The title of today’s devotion talks about things like cars and houses, but this can happen with all kinds of things…
So, what is going on? Maybe we figure that requests like expensive cars or money might be selfish, but some of the things we have prayed for are good things.
The Magic Word
When I was growing up, I remember being told to use the “magic word” when asking for something. That word was, “please.” I recently have been teaching my 3 year old about that word. He’s gotten better about saying, please, but he’s also started to think that it’s a guarantee to get what he wants.
“I want that toy.”
“No, you have plenty of toys. We’re not getting you another toy.”
“Please!”
It’s as though that word should make his will irresistible. We have to explain that while we’re glad he remembered to say, “please,” the answer is still, “No.”
Sometimes we treat prayer like my son treats the word, “please.” I said, “In Jesus Name,” God, You have to do it.
Is God being unfaithful?
When we read passages like this and understand them as telling us that we can ask for anything and God has to do it, we misunderstand the passage and try to make God into a magic genie.
Notice the in the passage the words, “according to His will.” In John 14:13-14, the same thing is intended by saying, “ask in My name.” It’s kind of like God saying,
“If you ask Me for something that I want to give you, I’ll give it to you.”
Nothing Can Stop Him
The message being conveyed is very different from, “I’ll give you whatever you want.” The message is that nothing can prevent God from giving you what He wants to give you. It’s a message of assurance and power. God can and will deliver on anything He intends to do or give.
The Sad Misunderstanding
When we understand these passages (or worse, when they are taught by pastors) as God promising to give us whatever we ask, we set up a sad situation. Inevitably, we will not get everything we ask for. Then one of two things will result:
Either result is bad.
The Comforting Understanding
On the other hand, when we understand that God is saying nothing can stop Him from doing what He wants, that results in comfort, assurance, and peace. Rather than leading to greed or selfishness, this leads to trusting in God and good and perfect will.
Heavenly Father,
You are mighty and sure. Your will is good and perfect. Help me to trust in Your will that I may say along with Jesus, “Not my will but Thine be done,” knowing that Your will is best.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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