February 16, 2002

WHEN YOU PRAY

"He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Our Father' " (Luke 11:2, NKJV).

"Jesus teaches us to call His Father our Father. He is not ashamed to call us [brothers] (Hebrews 2:11). So ready, so eager, is the Saviour's heart to welcome us as members of the family of God, that in the very first words we are to use in approaching God He places the assurance of our divine relationship, 'Our Father.'

"Here is the announcement of that wonderful truth, so full of encouragement and comfort, that God loves us as He loves His Son. This is what Jesus said in His last prayer for His disciples, 'that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me' (John 17:23).

"How can we ever be in doubt and uncertainty, and feel that we are orphans? It was in behalf of those who had transgressed the law that Jesus took upon Him human nature; He became like unto us, that we might have everlasting peace and assurance. We have an Advocate in the heavens, and whoever accepts Him as a personal Saviour is not left an orphan to bear the burden of his own sins.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God." "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2; Romans 8:17)

"The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has for us (1 John 4:16); for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him...

"If you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred."--Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessing, pp., 103-106.