Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Psalms 35:3
Lack of assurance is a common problem among genuine believers. It is somewhat similar to not knowing if we are loved by another person. The key is hearing and seeing expressions of love from that person toward us. Interest, attention, kindness, affection—these are all tangible ways that we receive assurance that we are truly loved by another. How then does one receive assurance of God’s love toward them? This verse tells us that it begins with a prayer for God to speak his love to us. This is a very personal request. It is a request for God to whisper something deep into our soul, to give us the assurance we lack.
When God answers a prayer like this, what form would you expect it to take? Would it be an impartation of faith in a written promise? An encouragement spoken through someone else? A faith-sense of God’s love through a direct work of the Holy Spirit? Nagging fears suddenly erased? A gradual or sudden sense of inner peace? A message from God’s word through a preacher, bringing special conviction? A song or a book that speaks directly to the longing of your soul? How would you expect God to answer a prayer like this?