“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” —John 16: 23, 24.
HERE is a passage that grows in wonderfulness the longer we look at it. There are some things in nature just like that. When first seen we do not discern how great and grand they are, but as we keep on looking they grow upon us, and then they excite our wonder and admiration.
It is so with our text. When our eyes are first fastened upon the gracious words we do not apprehend the fullness of their meaning, but as we meditate upon them and realize the greatness of the privilege which they confer, we are amazed. And then in the wonderment of our souls we exclaim, Can it be possible that we are allowed to attach the name of the Lord Jesus to our petitions? May we ask in His name? Is this sober fact? Then we read the glowing words again, and find it to be even so.
Suppose we had one friend who was dearer to us than all others — one to whom we owed everything. If someone were authorized to ask us, in his name, to do a certain thing, how gladly would we do it, even if the one who asked were a stranger, unknown and unloved. Thank God, it is not exactly so with us, for “the Father Himself loveth you,” our Lord says in verse 27 of this same chapter. But to us it is given — think of it, my soul — to ask in that name which is sweeter in the Father’s ear than every other. What strong confidence this gives that anything we ask the Father in His name will be granted unto us!
At the same time how careful it should make us as to how and for what we pray. Not to any random request would we attach the holy name of the Lord Jesus. Will the thing we pray for be for His glory, for the furtherance of His kingdom? If so, then we may affix His name to it without reserve.
If we gave any one leave to use our name, we should expect it to be used in no unworthy way, not loosely, but with care and discrimination. And so, in the intensest degree, should we make use of His name. If thus used the Father will give us whatsoever we shall ask. There is no room for doubt.
There are things which we may take to God in prayer to which we might hesitate to attach His name. We are not quite sure about them, and perhaps they more concern us and our comfort and happiness than the direct glory and interest of Christ. The fourth chapter of Philippians comes in here. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We are thus graciously encouraged to be frank, open, unreserved in speaking to God about everything that would make us anxious, no matter what. And this indeed is no little privilege. No burden need we carry alone, no grief need be hid in our bosom, no carking care. We may tell all to God, and having told it, we may leave the issue to His perfect love and wisdom. Our requests in this case do not take the form of definite prayer in Christ’s name. They may or may not be answered according to our wishes. We leave that to Him. Meanwhile “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,” keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This is very sweet. God’s own peace, profound and utterly beyond all our poor limited thoughts, keeps us in peace. The rest is in His hands.
And with this agree the words of Psalms 62:8: “Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.” Precious words these, and full of comfort and encouragement. They are balm for wounded hearts and rest for anxious ones. In every lot there are burdens and cares — thorns that pierce and inward griefs that fill the eyes with tears. Then Someone silently draws near, and we hear a voice that is not unknown, bidding us to trust and fear not, directing us to empty out before our God and Father all that is in our heart, and to make Him our refuge. And thus we find that word fulfilled which says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isa. 26:33Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)).
Let us once more recall the wonderful words of our Lord Jesus when He said: “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” May they never be forgotten, and let us make use of this great privilege more than ever as the days go by.
W. B.