April 12

Ask, and ye shall receive. - John 16:24.

WITH regard to the asking and receiving blessings from our heavenly Father observe four things. First, That God has prescribed this course, and made prayer the channel of his influence and communication. For all these things, says he, “I will he inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.”

Secondly, He has a right to determine the way in which he should be gracious; for grace must be free, or it is no more grace. He is a great King above all gods, and we have no claim upon him. Yea, we were unworthy of the least of all his mercies; we lay entirely under his displeasure, and as children of disobedience we deserved that his wrath should come upon us.

Thirdly, The way he has chosen is best, whether we consider his glory or our own welfare. Prayer humbles man, while it exalts God: it expresses our dependence upon him, and gives him the glory that is due to his holy name: thus honouring his wisdom, his power, and his goodness. And as to ourselves, if we obtained these blessings without ever claiming or seeking after them, the attainment would afford us no satisfaction. We should not then value them, nor call upon our souls, and all that is within us, to bless and praise God for them.

Fourthly, As he has appointed and enjoined this way, He will always pay regard to it. He always has done so from the beginning of the world. He hath not said to the seed of Jacob, “Seek ye me in vain;” and he never will, and he never can. For though we could not bind him, he has bound himself by promise; and the Scripture cannot be broken. Let us therefore confide in his faithfulness, and pray for the blessings we need; for, says he, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth: and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” And, blessed be his name, there are no meritorious qualifications required-no hard conditions imposed.

“Though in ourselves we have no stock,

The Lord is nigh to save;

The door flies open when we knock:

It is but ask and have.”