Friday | 27 November 2020

Ask what you desire

In the context of teaching the disciples about abiding in the true Vine, Jesus said, ‘You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.’ Joh 15:7. This statement has become misused and misunderstood, with an expectation that Jesus is ready to give people all their self-centred desires. Jas 4:3. Many people have grown angry with Jesus because He has not given them what they have asked. Some feel that they must have done something wrong, and that Jesus is punishing them because He has not answered their prayers. Others even say that they cannot trust God because they have not received what they asked.

When we think this way, we clearly have given no regard to the context in which Jesus made this precious promise. This promise of answered prayer must be understood in the context of receiving the words of Christ and abiding in the fellowship of His offering and sufferings. Pro 1:28-29. To put it plainly and simply, He hears the prayer of the one who is abiding and eating from the tree of life. 1Jn 3:22. He does not make this promise to the one who is sitting and eating at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Psa 66:18.

When Adam and Eve removed themselves from the fellowship of the tree of life and lived by the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, what happened? Did the Lord call out across the garden, saying, ‘Hi there, Adam and Eve; I see that you are not abiding in My word and fellowship. I notice you are now living by another word. Well, I just want you to know that, if you ask what you desire, it will be done for you.’ Similarly, Jesus would not be watching us mixing the fruit of the two trees, and call out across the garden as we eat from the wrong tree, ‘Ask what you desire and it will be done for you.’ This promise is totally connected to our abiding in Christ and His word abiding in us. Joh 15:7.