the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James 1:6. Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8. I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. John 16:26-27.
A cheerful and child-like confidence is the very soul of prayer. Without such confidence, prayer is dead and barren, a punishment and a hardship. He who prays must, in the first place, know what he is doing. He goes to God who has called him, and commanded him to come and to pray to Him in time of all trouble and need, yea, concerning whatsoever that oppresses his heart (Philippians 4:6). Even herein lies a good ground for confidence. To this is added, secondly, the faith and conviction that God knows what I lack, what oppresses me, before I have told it to Him. That which oppresses the heart of the child, also touches the heart of the Father. Thirdly, the assurance given by the Son, "The Father Himself loveth you. My intercession is not even needed. " Nevertheless, He prays for us abundantly in order that we should not entertain the least doubt. That is the reason for the above quoted admonition of St. James, that we are not to doubt. For he who doubts the word of promise of the true and faithful One, dishonors and blasphemes God; his prayer is rather a sin and blasphemy than a service and worship of God. God has said that I should pray and that He will give. Jesus has said that the Father will give us, that He knows our need, that He knows us.
’’Faith abides by this and sends doubts to the devil, from whom they came. " Yes, dear praying soul, lay hold of God and His faithfulness with both hands. Do not let go even though all devils would tear you away. "I, will not let thee go, except Thou bless me" (Genesis 32:26). Thus spoke even the Israelite. What, then, should not a Christian do who has God as his Brother in the flesh? One brother must not leave the other, nor must any one leave his own members. Christ vouches for that.
Thy everlasting Truth,
Father, Thy ceaseless love
Sees all Thy children’s wants, and knows
What best for each will prove.
And whatsoever Thou wilt,
Thou dost, O King of kings!
What Thy unerring Wisdom chose,
Thy power to being brings.
