January 11: Ask + you will receive

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. At that time you will ask me nothing. I tell you the solemn truth, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive it, so that your joy may be complete.  (John 16:22-24 — NET)

Jesus is talking to His disciples in the shadow of the cross. It would be a time of terrible grief for them, but the joy of His resurrection would take their grief way. They would then know their resurrected Lord who had defeated death and the devil, and who had all authority in heaven and on earth. But Jesus tells them about a new privilege and blessing they would have. He says that after His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven; they could ask the Father in heaven for whatever they needed in His name. Jesus would be their great High-Priest and Intercessor at God's throne. Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

What words could be clearer and plainer than these? He tells us that all people who accept Him as Savior and Lord, have access through Him to the Father. He promises that God will answer our prayers and give us whatever we ask for in His name. He even encourages us to ask so that our joy may be full and complete.

What greater joy could a human being experience than to have his prayers answered by his loving God! To think that the eternal, all-powerful God listens to us! There is no way to misunderstand the words of Jesus here. He is promising exactly that. So let us devote our energy to asking and believing that God answers prayer. Don't tolerate any doubt or unbelief in your heart! Just believe and keep asking. If it takes one day or many days—one year or many years; don't quit and don't give up! Jesus spoke the truth in these verses, and you will experience it yourself if you keep on trusting and praying.