God Is Sovereign

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:13-15 KJV)

Oh, I think He hears us when we’re asking for things, even though they are outside His will. However, I also think we’ll do better to seek His will, ask for things to be done according to His will and accept there may be differences between what we want and what will happen.

We are told that Jesus knew what was coming and asked to be spared:

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:38-39 KJV)

We are also told He endured because He knew God had more planned:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

There are natural consequences in this world. Babies are born, grow then die. Some very, very quickly. Others after decades of toil. Some violently. Others softly with loved ones holding their hand. Referred to often as the ‘cycle of life,’ it’s the natural order here and cannot be escaped, though many ignore it or “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

I believe the light does not die. And, I believe as John told us that we may have eternal life, and that we will know it. God has gifts for us that we cannot imagine, all for our good:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:8-11 KJV)

When we ask, and we do not receive what we have asked in the time frame we desire, move next to seeking His will. What He offers in place of our request may truly be the desire of our heart.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalms 37:4 KJV)

Work on that first part and allow God to fulfill the second.