Whatever

I John 5 says, This is the confidence which we have before 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 which we have asked from Him.

We like this verse because it says we will have whatever we ask of Him.  But in reality, we know that’s not true, right?  Does any parent give their children everything they ask of them?  Certainly, not.  Good parents know it’s not best to give children too much candy, every toy in the store, or grant every wish for even solace.  Good parents know that their children need to grow and learn and mature, and become responsible adults.  So sometimes they say no, because they know best.

This verse says we must ask “according to His will” if we want to receive.  And the sure things we know about his will are that he wants us to love one another and love him with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. So when we ask for things that contribute to those two  directives in our lives, we will receive them.

We’ve often heard that God is not a genie in a bottle. Thank goodness!  We all know that children who are never told the word no grow up to be brats that no one likes.

Go to God in confidence when you pray.  And pray for things that you know please his heart.  Then watch him take care of the “other” things you thought were so important to ask for.

Remember another verse that says to seek his kingdom first and he will grant all that we need.

He's the perfect Father to his children.