p. 5 | Ask, and Ye Shall Receive

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 10, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 44.

"Ask, and Ye Shall Receive"

By Mrs. H. E. Sawyer-Hopkins

A DEFINITE promise, is it not? John the evangelist informs us that God's word can not be broken. The psalmist records the following words: "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." And Mark teaches, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

If the word of the Lord is as King David declared,—"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases,"—what prevents prayer from being answered in restoration to health? Is it lack of faith to take God at His word?—Not always. Listen to John: "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us."

Have we not been instructed to answer our own prayers as far as we can? Perhaps one of nature's simple remedies is the most needful thing for some at this time. It may be the first step, accompanied with prayer that it be blessed to our good.

Sometimes an answer is delayed as a test to our faith. Again, when human help fails, "our necessity is God's opportunity." Paul sought the Lord thrice for removal of an affliction. Hear the answer the great Restorer gave to Paul's request: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Thus it may not always be the will of the great Benefactor to grant us the desires of the heart in the matter of healing. He knows best. Let us have confidence that He who understands our needs better than we understand them, "doeth all things well." MRS. H. E. SAWYER-HOPKINS.