The knowing is in the stillness
by Ray Watson
Knowing God brings confidence
1John 5:14, 15 states: "This is the confidence that we have in Him, 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 we have the petitions that we desired of Him."
There is a confidence that comes when we know that He hears us.
"If we ask anything according to His will He hears us."
This often brings more doubt than assurance, because the question is then raised, "how do I know this is God's will for me?" But this verse should be more understood to mean, "if we ask anything according to His willingness to give", since our loving heavenly Father is more than willing, as the following verses readily testify.
"If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him." (Matt. 7:11)
"He that spared not His own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
To further make the point, later in the same verse it states "whatever we ask." The question then is not, "is this God's peculiar will for me in this situation?" but rather, "is my desire in prayer within the moral boundaries of His kingdom to grant?" If so, we already know He is very willing. The leper's query "if you are willing" was met by Jesus with an unreserved, "I will." I cannot find anywhere in any of the four gospels, where it is any different. He never said no.
"For all the promises of God in Him are yes and in Him Amen (firm, trustworthy, surely, so be it)." 2Cor.1:20
There, that settles the willingness question. Now all that is left is our believing, for "all things are possible to Him who believes."
One question remains...
All that remains then, is whether or not we have confidence in knowing that He has heard us, for "if we know that He hears us .... we know we have the petitions that we desired of Him."
This is not referring to some distant head knowledge, a simple acknowledgement that we know God knows all things, but a deep sense of assurance that comes from being joined to God Himself while we wait on Him in prayer.
There is much prayer given without this confidence, because prayer today is such a rushed thing.
It is only in the stillness that we know.
The knowing is in the stillness.
Be still, and know.
