Does the Word Abide in You?

John 15:7, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

When the Lord makes a promise, He is good on His word, and His children can wholly depend upon Him to fulfill every pledge that He has made. The verse above is one example of a promise from the Lord. First, Jesus delivers an amazing command that His children must ask what we desire, and then He follows with a guarantee that our prayers will be answered.

However, it's important that we understand the conditions that Jesus has set before us. We have determined thus far that our part is the same as that of the branch that is attached to the vine: we as Christians must receive nourishment, which is to abide in Christ. This action will sustain our life, and will ultimately result in fruit. Now, our current verse introduces the comparable idea that the words of Jesus must abide in us.

The "new" realization that His words must abide in us enlightens us as to what is really involved in our side of the relationship. It is not enough that we say we love Jesus and we want Him to live in us. His very words, the Word of God, the Scriptures, the Bible -- must live within us and be "at home."

John 8:47a, "He who is of God hears God's words..."

John 14:10, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father Who dwells in me does the works."

John 17:8, "For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me."

Matthew 4:4,"But He answered and said, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

Ephesians 6:17, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The Lord provided a wonderful gift when He gave us His Word. Our need is great, and yet, the Lord only wants us to come to Him and listen. His counsel is relevant for us in this time of our lives, and He always offers a soothing voice, gentle instruction and calming advice. When we listen, we realize that we only want what He wants because we understand that our Heavenly Father only desires the best for us.

Thank you, Lord, for Your Word. I surrender to you that they might abide in me. Amen.