A dear friend of mine sent me this scripture that she was praying for me and my family…
Psalm 20:4 May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.
So I started thinking. Does God give you whatever your heart desires? How is that possible? I want to have all kinds of things…but the real question is, do I desire those things because of Kingdom agenda or because of Godly impetus? There are things that I have desired that seemed Godly and He didn’t provide (but I didn’t ask Him). There are things that I HAVE asked Him for that He hasn’t produced. So how does all that line up with these verses?
James 4:2 Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
Well that certainly answers those questions. I can recognize and admit that the many things that I have “wanted” and even asked for and have not gotten would be for wrong motives that were only for my own pleasure. Yeah…the ugly side of being human is pretty selfish. I can also admit that many times I was sure that I knew what God was asking of me and my family and yet God, from my perspective, didn’t come through me me. But I have to recognize the fact that I didn’t really ask.
John 15:7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
The Lord reminds me today that IF I am abiding in Him, I can ask anything I want – and He will grant it.
–verb (used without object)
1. to remain; continue; stay: Abide with me.
2. to have one’s abode; dwell; reside
The important thing to remember is that if I am truly ABIDING in Him, the desires I have are actually His desires living through me. So, of course, He will grant them when I ask them.
So I am asking boldly today for some things that He has put in my heart. If you’re abiding in Him…step up with courage from His promise…ask.