Faith and Confidence

This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 JOHN 5:14‭-‬15 AMP

It is important to lay the right foundation for our faith, so we do not give the false impression that when a man comes to Christ, everything he needs or desires are automatically met. This has become the trend these days, and you find people who come expecting largess and plenty, and are disappointed when these do not materialize. Today's extract teaches fundamental truths about our walk with God, some of which need to be emphasized.

Firstly, it is God's plan and purpose for my life that is more important than whatever well laid plan I may have. Many times, we come to God asking him to validate our own plans, and we are disappointed when he does not. We forget that long before we were made, He already had a plan for our lives. We can never know more about life than the One called Life himself and our lives would only make sense and have direction when it is at the instance of the One who owns it.

Secondly, He has mandated us to ask anything according to his will, and he will do it for us. If I do not know Him, how do I know his will? If I do not know what his purpose for me is, how would I even ask according to his will? The word provision is a combination of 'pro' and 'vision', which to me, means that provision is actually God's move in your life in line with the vision he has given you, not the schemes of your own heart. You don't come to God, asking he stamps your own desires; you come to him in surrender, asking that he reveals his own purpose for you so you can pursue. When you are pursuing purpose/vision, provision that is appropriate for the vision given to you by God will be made abundant.

Thirdly, the above will then make me confident about my present and future. Even when today does not make sense, I am confident in the wisdom and timing of the One who holds all things in his hand. Even when things fall apart, my inner core remains intact because of the Presence of God in me. When the devil holds my own past in my face, I remind him about his own future, while resting assured of God's word of restoration and fulfilment. When the present does not make sense, I remember that God had been at work long before I was born, and if he is in charge, nothing will really go wrong, as all things will work out for my good. That is total confidence in God and his wisdom, power, might and mercy.

What is the basis of your confidence: what you own or who you know? His time of favour is here.