“This is the confidence we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked for” (1 John 5:14-15).
This is the confidence.
This is bold too. To have confidence means to have a firm reliance (versus distrust or skepticism). John said we need to have bold faith and confidence in approaching God on anything– and I can think of no better way to boost your confidence than to know God’s Word.
It’s not arrogance to say you know His Word. It’s wisdom.
It’s not blasphemy. It’s faith.
When facing any difficulty, does God’s Word rise up in your heart and speak to you? It should. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and light on my path.” In other words, when we are unsure of what to do, or what direction to take, God’s Word is a promised guide.
The first thing you should do is pray. And as you pray, the Holy Spirit will begin to speak God’s Word to you — to the measure you have hidden it in your heart. Jesus said, “[The Holy Spirit] will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). He guides us by reminding us of God’s Word (which is truth). And with each reminder, He builds faith in you to receive your request for help and guidance.
Example
I’ll share an example. I was recently praying for direction and these are the verses that the Holy Spirit dropped in my heart, one by one, as I prayed:
“Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us– to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever…” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
“For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful” (John 14:26-27).
The Holy Spirit is our peace.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in Me, you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
“Everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith” (1 John 5:4). “And this is the confidence we have before Him: if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).
His Word is His will.
“Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. Now this is the command: that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps his commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us” (1 John 3:21-24).
As I prayed, I was put in remembrance of these promises in God’s Word. And each reminder boosted my confidence in prayer.
Remember, the Holy Spirit confirms the Word. The Word comforts and encourages our heart. Therefore, our heart can rest and be reassured when facing unknowns because we know both the Word and the Spirit.
It’s bold to say: I know the Word.
But you should say it with boldness– declaring to your fears that your confidence is in God alone. The devil wants to get your attention off the entirety of God’s Word. He can’t erase it all (you know too much already) but he will try to get you to focus on parts that diminish your faith. For example, if he can make you feel undeserving of your requests in prayer, then you’ll release your grip on faith and settle.
Don’t do that. Stay confident IN HIM. Stay confident in God’s Word. Trust the Holy Spirit who is reminding you of God’s promises. He’s the One who said, “Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
I pray this exercise of faith has encouraged you! God’s Word is God’s will. The Bible says the promises of God are YES and AMEN to the glory of God through us! So “Don’t throw away your confidence which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35)!
