“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24b NIV)
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14 NIV)
One of Jesus’ deepest desires is that we develop a relationship with Him and that we never hesitate to ask Him for His help. His promise is straightforward: “I will do it.”
The problem with us humans is that we like to be in charge. We like to do things our way. Control is of utmost importance to us. Control is our way of feeling accepted in society.
But in all reality, are we truly in control?
Are we in control when a loved one passes away?
And what about when a spouse turns his/her back on us for better pastures? Are we in control then?
And are we in control when we confront our erring child, who has decided to follow a path that leads to unshakeable addictions?
What will we do when we receive the news that we have been laid off? Are we really in control?
And are we still in control when we breathe out our last breath?
Why are we so hesitant to ask for God’s help? Why are we so reluctant to depend on the One who wants what is best for us?
“But I did ask! God didn’t answer me!”
If you did, how did you ask?
How would we react when our son/daughter demands a new car? How would we respond when our child dictates what we should buy for him or her? “If you buy me this, you will show that you truly love me!”
In our asking, are we motivated by self-interest or by bringing glory to God?
In our asking, are we driven by our desire to stay in control, or are we handing over control to God? Remember, Jesus said, whatever is asked in My name!
Do we wait in anticipation of how God will respond to us?
I often wonder why I don’t hear more from God. But when I really examine how I’ve asked, I see the brutal truth: I, Rob Chaffart, do not ask according to “God’s will” but according to the will of “Rob”! More often than not, I don’t hear from God because I do not anticipate His answer! When He answers, I don’t even notice it! I am too preoccupied by other things! How can I be happy with His response if I don’t even wait for His answer?
One thing is true though: God will respond. It’s a 100% guarantee. Adam never saw the fulfillment of God’s promise about the redemption of humankind, but God DID redeem us! If our God took the time to send us His Son, who took our penalty to the cross, we can be assured that He will take the time to respond to us. This is as certain as Jesus’ resurrection itself!
The first night in Iceland I faced my shower with mixed feelings. There was a shower head and a curtain, but there wasn’t a tub to catch the water. “How am I supposed to keep the floor from getting wet?” I wondered. Interestingly, the room had come equipped with a long-handled squeegee. I wasn’t too sure about this particular gadget, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t there to clean my hair!
I took my shower and as expected, when I was finished, I had a mini flood on my hands. “Next!” I said with trepidation. “Watch your feet!”
The condition of the bathroom didn’t get any better after my sons’ showers. After my wife’s visit to the shower, however, the floor became completely dry.
“Where did the water go?” I wondered aloud.
She waved the squeegee in front of my face. The answer to my dilemma had been there all along. I just hadn’t taken the time to ask or listen for the solution.
Rob Chaffart
(To access the entire “Jesus’ Deepest Desires” devotional series, please click here.)