YesToTheTruth: Standing In Position To Receive By Faith

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Imagine ordering food for delivery and then going out trying to get the food from different places... No one does that. The delivery person will most likely not find you in position to receive the precise food you had ordered. In the same manner, when we make a precise petition to God, we need to be in position to receive his precise answer (check Matthew 7:9-10 for Jesus' teaching on precision). You don't "go shopping" after you have made a precise request to God. You wait for his guidance. It is honestly easier said than done, but it is the way of faith. If God wants you to wait on Him, be sure He is checking your "activity" also to see if you actually trust Him to act on your behalf or if you are ready to take matters into your own hands.

Psalm 27:13-14

13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.

2 Chronicles 16:19a

For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.

Psalm 145:18-19
18 The LORD is near to all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him: He will also hear their cry, and will save them.

Psalm 84:11-12
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you.

We need to be at peace (still) and patient after having brought our petition to God. And our trust in Him must be demonstrated in our attitude when we are expecting from Him what we have asked for and have also received by faith. "Be still, and know that I am God" (from Psalm 46:10) is a quite popular scripture. But it's when we are tested that we will know if we can actually "be still" or if we will be anxious to death rather. Every situation is different. So, this is not about "doing nothing" and expecting. That is hardly ever the case with God. You work with Him. You cooperate with Him. If He has a work to do in you or through you, you need to be open to that on his time, not "later." When He shows you something that is not right in your life, be sure that it is his priority to get that part of your life straightened out, and be thankful for all the little or big changes He works in you. Be sure that his timing is perfect and that He works for you while He works in and through you.

Remain in communication with God through constant prayer to make sure you hear his voice as soon as He speaks and not your own voice. You have to remain close to God because you don't want to act upon your impatience or any emotions. You don't want to act in fear or be "driven" by anything that should have been driven out of you a long time ago. You are more likely then to "find" something that is a counterfeit that the devil has for you. Going ahead of God when you are supposed to wait on Him is an activity of your flesh (opposite to patience/longsuffering - Galatians 5:22). You need to kill (put to death) that flesh so the Holy Spirit can be guiding you in all (Galatians 5:16). So, as necessary, God will do the work that He needs to do in you so that you can have stillness in your heart while you wait on Him. He won't bring anything to you if you only think you are ready for it but actually are not and lack humility before Him even to admit that. He will make you ready for his own glory as He responds to your faith that pleases Him.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for the one who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Matthew 7:7

Ask [keep on asking] and you shall receive, seek [keep on seeking] and you shall find, knock [keep on knocking] at the door and it shall be opened unto you.

These are beautiful promises based on a relationship with God, but that relationship requires work. It requires time, thoughtfulness and faithfulness. It's a committed two-way relationship and we cannot be self-centered in it. It takes being fed with God's word (meditating on it and applying it to be transformed by it), prayer most definitely, and obedience to all the directions He gives (proving our faith). Naturally, we will go to a deeper, more intimate place in our relationship with Him, while we experience his goodness and faithfulness at every step. We can be sure as God's children that He will always have our best interest in mind beyond our own short-sightedness (Ephesians 3:20). And a time of preparation is often necessary to receive God's best. In everything (every circumstance), give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). All things work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28; John 14:15). Believe that. It is also written: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). May we be attentive to those words.

1 John 5:14-15

14 This is the boldness which we have toward Him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of Him.

John 14:13-14

13 And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

👉 "Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22)

👉 "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?" (John 11:40)

John 15:7-8

7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 8 In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 16:22-24

22 Therefore you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. 23 And in that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made complete.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

May Jesus bless you!

NB: The key to answered prayers is to be living a life that is pleasing to God and not be involved in any deliberate sin [video] (Isaiah 59:1-2, 1 Peter 3:12).