Ask and Know

Hello friends! This is the last installment of our 1 John Series. I hope you are enjoying it so far and, I'm sure you have noticed, I have changed up my schedule and I'm posting more! Yes, I found a schedule that works: Tuesday - Thursday. Anyway, let's get into the word today.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. (Verses 13 - 15)

I was just praying before starting this blog, as I always do, when God gave me a revelation about this exact verse. (I didn't even remember that this verse was coming up either!) But He said, "'Ask and know that you have what you asked for.' doesn't necessarily mean you will receive the things of this world or earthly possessions, but it is directed at things that are more important than that - knowledge, wisdom, understanding, love, grace, and guidance."

This might be common sense to some of you that have been in the faith for longer than I, but to me, this is a new concept! But it makes so much sense! I remember when I went to my friends church back in 2011 (I was 19) and I mentioned saving up for my first car. My friend's mom brought up this verse and said, "Just stand in your driveway and say, "I ask for a car in the name of Jesus." and one will come to you somehow."

I did what she asked and no car appeared. Back then I was thinking, "Am I doing it wrong.", but looking back I'm thinking, "What was I expecting? That God should give me what I wanted exactly when I wanted it?" Don't get me wrong, God did help me get a car from a friend who let me making monthly payments on it, purely out of the kindness of her heart, but God isn't a delivery service - waiting and willing to give us stuff at our every command. In fact, we should be the ones listening to HIS commands and we should be the ones doing the waiting and willing.

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those who sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrong doing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.(Verses 16 & 17)

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. (Verses 18 - 21)

Going back to verses 14 & 15, if you are ever confused and needing understanding and knowledge, and the written word isn't helping answer your questions and no one is around to help you - always know that you can ask the source. You can ask God for understanding. I know most of you have someone around always, but when I was alone in Japan a few months back, I had no one. And I tell you something, I have learned a lot more from asking God for knowledge than I have asking fellow followers of Jesus. (FYI I am NOT dismissing the importance of fellow believer in your life or the importance of reading the Bible.)

So ask Him and know that you already have what you have asked of Him. And just because God isn't a 'delivery service', doesn't mean that He doesn't find joy in helping us (even when it comes to earthly possessions we need, like a car) so, never be ashamed to ask Him for such things. And just because He already knows what you need and the desires of your heart doesn't mean that He doesn't like hearing them in your prayers. He likes to hear it from your own mouth.

For the longest time, my relationship with Jesus was - "You know this need or want or desire I have Jesus , so do your thing!" But is that a real relationship? Or was I just expecting Him to be a delivery service of my needs and wants? Where was the praise for the things He had already given me? Where was the thanks for what He has already done for me?

The root of a relationship is communication and only asking things of someone is NOT a relationship! Yet that was a portion of my Christianity... I didn't take the time to find joy in God, not only for the things that He was doing for me, but the things He had ALREADY DONE for me!

Don't make my mistake. Find joy in the Father. He delights in doing good for those who love Him. So, why don't we delight in praising Him for it?