“Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.” Psalm 119:18
“From this time forth I announce to you new things,
hidden things that you have not known.
They are created now, not long ago;
before today you have never heard of them,
lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’
You have never heard, you have never known,
from of old your ear has not been opened.” Isaiah 48:6b-8a
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it… The Helper, the Holy Spirit,.. will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:13-14,26
“You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:2
There are many things we do not know, areas where we bumble along clumsily or ignorantly in this life because we take not time to learn. Certainly there are gifts and abilities we will never have, but as those in Christ there is a myriad of spiritual riches and knowledge we never tap. The Lord Jesus urges His own to ask in order to receive, knowing that our inquiry and dependence are key to our appropriating His provision. Even our sanctification is forged through cooperation with and obedience to His Spirit. (Matthew 6:6-13)
Yet we live as paupers and are complacently willing to do so. From the beginning the devil has tricked us into thinking God wants to withhold, that He ordered our incompleteness and as a tyrant will keep it that way. But the Lord designed and desires for us a rich relationship with Him that fosters longing, trusting, and acting in faith to grow. (Genesis 3:1-8; Psalm 16:11; John 10:10; 15:11)
When we ask specifically, we’ve identified what we desire and need. When we ask expectantly, we listen and look for answers. When we receive and heed answers, we learn the joys of obedience and God’s gracious provision. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Where am I lacking in righteous desire or understanding? What specifically do I need of patience, grace, or insight for certain situations? Where am I inept or weak that only God can undertake and supply? Would I ask, and believe He will answer?
Do I not ask for answers, acumen, or ability because I am unwilling to learn new ways? Do I not ask because I’m afraid of what God might require me to change or to put away? Do I not ask because I’m lazy and prefer status quo, doing what I can decently and loafing in excuses for what I can’t? (Philippians 2:3-4)
“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart,
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are,
and make me love you as I ought to love.
Teach me to feel that you are always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unceasing prayer.
Teach me to love you as your angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame:
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove;
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.” ~George Croly (1854)
Amen.
As the rain and snow 