This is the fourth observation from John 15:1-17 that is significant in the whole area of remaining in Christ and bearing fruit. Look at what John 15:7,14-17 and especially notice the underlined phrases;
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
As we remain in the Lord, connected to Him, walking closely with Him as seen in the last devotional, we are His friends. What a privilege. But it gets better; Jesus says to His disciples that whatever we ask in His name, it will be given to us. The qualifier here is that what we ask needs to be in tune with His heart and will and not just whatever we desire. God knows what is best for us and wants to give to us freely so that we might experience all He has for us on earth.
As a father of three daughters it is truly my desire that all three of them get successfully launched in their career or ministry. I will do all within my power and means to help them achieve what it is that God wants for them. I desire nothing less. In a similar way God desires nothing more then His very best for us.
Make no mistake; we do live in an evil, fallen, and unforgiving world that can throw us way off God’s best for us. We are in a fight and a battle to stay in the center of God’s will. But we have the greatest power in the universe working for us – God! As we pray according to His will there is nothing He will hold back because we’re totally remaining in Him. This is a powerful thought. Remain and pray and watch God work. He may not always move in the exact way that we think He should but He is hearing, His timing is perfect, and He will act.
Ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. A promise we can all live with.