Day 330 - This is the confidence...

Today's Reading: Daniel 4-5 and 1 John 5

So much history and depth in these chapters... but I'm going to focus on one of my favorite passages from 1 John 5 today.

The Bible reads as follows: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hearth us: 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 5:14,15)

So there's a condition given in this verse... it doesn't say we get whatever we ask. It says if we ask anything "according to His Will." 

How do we know God's will?! I guess this is the million dollar question, everyone is asking. This is my thoughts as I study Scripture. 

• We can know that anything that advances God's Kingdom is according to His will
• We can know that our experiencing victory over sin is according to God's will
• We can know that the salvation of souls is according to God's will (although He will not force!)
• We can know that God being glorified in our lives and relationships is according to His will
• We can know that anything we are encouraged to do in Scripture is according to His will

Really, the best way to know God's will is to immerse ourselves in His Word, for His Word shares His heart. And as we saturate our mind and our life in His Word, and apply His Word to our life, we will know what He's wanting to do. The Bible says, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it will be done unto you!" So as we abide in Him, and as His Word is internalized in our life... we will be praying prayers according to His will...

Can we know clearly if THIS JOB is the one that we should have? Can we know clearly if THIS MAN or WOMAN is the one we should marry? Can we know clearly if this LOCATION is the place we should live? Not necessarily... in fact I caution people against trying to force God's hand in these areas, or teaching people that if you just have enough faith, God will do it. That's presumption, not faith. But if we pray with open hands, willing for however God leads, praying that He will be glorified, praying that His kingdom will advance, than we can know safely that God will answer that prayer, because it is His will that He be glorified and His will be accomplished in our lives.  

So instead of trying to get God to answer our prayers the way we want, let's focus on getting to know more of God's heart... Then His desires become our desires and we become one with Him!

Tomorrow's Reading: Daniel 6-7 and 2 John