March 27

Come boldly unto the throne of grace. — HEB. iv. 16.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. — JOHN xiv. 13, 14.

THE connection of this absolute promise shows its immense value. Many stumble at the words of the previous verse: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." They fail to see the connection of the last clause, "Because I go unto my Father." Christ is not dead, but alive again from the dead, with all power in heaven and earth. Therefore he says, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will do." This is present supernatural power through the believer that is promised. The secret is in verses 10, 11: "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." This is the mystical union of the Father and the Son. He prays for the same in us (John xvii. 21).

This unity means that the will of God is our will, and our obedience means such a ready listening to his voice from abiding in him that he answers us by doing that which we desire of him (1 John iii. 22). Our works are to reveal Christ to the world, as his works reveal God to us.

H. M. Parsons

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare;

Jesus loves to answer prayer.

He himself has bid thee pray,

Therefore will not say thee nay. NEWTON.