And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. - 1 John 5:14
Do you remember asking for your first job? What I remember best is how unqualified I was. Here I was all of 15 years old asking for a job in a camera shop. .My only real job experience to this point had been mowing lawns and putting up hay. My photography experience was limited to a high school photography class and serving on the yearbook staff. The only camera I knew was the old basic Exakta 35mm I was using. I had some nerve asking for a job. But the owner, for some reason, decided to give me a chance.
Unlike my timidity in asking for that job, today's verse assures us we can approach God with boldness -- other versions say confidence -- when we ask. The verse continues by saying what we request is to be according to God's will. Well, that's a bit tricky. How then do we ask for something we don't know? What happens if I boldly ask, but it's not according to his will? With God, there is always good news, and this is it. In Jesus Christ, we have an intermediary. All that we ask Jesus experienced when he was on earth. It is through him that we can approach with boldness. Through the Holy Spirit, we continue to seek God and try to understand his will. In scripture, we have examples of the kind of people he wants us to be. We still may not know his will exactly, but we have a better idea. Lastly, when we pray, we may request things directly, but we should also ask that his will be done.
Compassionate God, we give thanks for listening to our prayers. We come before you boldly today with full confidence that you will answer our prayers. We confess we don't know your will, but we trust you know what is best for us. Please help us as we strive to learn your will for us as individuals and your body. We pray this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Tim
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