That Your Joy May Be Full
He will give and we will receive
In our praying, we have been learning recently that we have access to the Father and must come as children—in child-like faith; also that we pray in Jesus Name, He is Christ our Mediator—and we come as His own, like clients. We do not come to the Father on our own, but through and in Christ: in humility and dependence.
And the promise in John 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you, is when we ask the Father in the Name of Jesus, it will be given. Whatever we need has been promised, when we ask.
Not only is the promise that He will give it, but also is the promise we will receive it. In v. 24, Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. The Father gives, we receive. And what is the result?
That Your Joy May Be Full
The blessed effect of the prayer of faith; it helps to fill up the joy of faith. Would we have our joy full, as full as it is capable of being in this world, we must be much in prayer. When we are told to rejoice evermore, it follows immediately, Pray without ceasing. See how high we are to aim in prayer-not only at peace, but joy, a fullness of joy. (M. Henry)
Is our joy full when we ask only for temporal things? If we mostly pray for earthy comforts or favors here, we may indeed receive these, or we may not. But if we ask the Lord for spiritual blessings, for promises in His Word, then He is certain to give them to us. And we would be filled to the measure with the fullness of God: our joy may be filled!
Joy is gladness and delight, celebration and exulting; joy is opposite sorrow, joy comes in the morning, joy is resurrection day, joy will be in heaven over one sinner who repents, joy is the second listed fruit of the Spirit, joy is fellowship with the Father and the Son, the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Says Spurgeon: When you do get to the mercy seat, do not begin asking for littles, and go home with trifles, but ask for as big things as ever your soul can desire, and as big things as the promises of God cover…Ask great things for yourselves, brethren. Ask to know all the truth of God, ask to know the fullness of God, ask to know the riches of His grace, ask to know “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,” and when you have asked for all that, ask for holiness, and do not ask for anything less than perfect holiness. Continue to open thy mouth wide, that every grace may be given to you…You may also ask for joy, and oh, what an ocean of bliss is before you in the joy of the Lord!
Do we have this joy, down in our heart?
Jesus had said to to them earlier: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).
May we today, like the disciples of old be filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). Ask and receive, that our joy in the Lord may be full!
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are four passages we are praying from (one passage per day):
Thursday - Acts 4:29
Friday - Micah 6:8
Saturday - Colossians 4:12
Sunday - Psalm 100
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Monday, grace and peace
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash