30 April 2021 – John 15:7-8 (NKJV)
Scripture
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Reflection
How many times have we prayed this prayer: “God, you said ask whatever I desire and it shall be done, so please do [fill in the blank].” Doesn’t work this way, does it? If you ABIDE in Me. Let’s look again at the definition of “abide”, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary:
Definition of abide
transitive verb
1a: to bear patiently : TOLERATE
b: to endure without yielding : WITHSTAND
2: to wait for : AWAIT
3: to accept without objection
intransitive verb
1: to remain stable or fixed in a state
2: to continue in a place : SOJOURN
abide by
1: to conform to
2: to accept without objection : to acquiesce in
Sure we might have waited, tolerated, and conformed on many occasions — but were we abiding in Christ? In nature, every living thing needs time to grow. Tree trunks need time to take root, and fruit takes time to ripen before it can be picked. So why not us if we are the branches? The Master Gardener knows how long it will take for us to be rooted, when to prune us, and when we should bear fruit.
Just as I’ve come to accept His pruning to be a privilege, I also remind myself to enjoy the times when God clearly wants me to abide; it is the season for growth. Instead of complaining and wrestling with God, we can be filled with expectation for what’s to come because we are already in Christ. I can testify that there have been times when every single thought that came through my mind, God answered without my asking ~ I know I’ve been rewarded! He proves He is faithful when we abide in Him. Will you?
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How will you respond to God’s love for you?
Prayer
Invite the Holy Spirit to show you something to rejoice over. Look beyond your current circumstances to the Lord of all Creation. Remember that you are fully, unconditionally loved. Take time to rejoice in the goodness of the God who has saved you.