Matthew the apostle wrote about Jesus, “in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on you henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say unto this mountain, Be you removed, and be cast into the sea; it shall be done” and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-two of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus referred to, “whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing” where we read:
And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
The verse reads, “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and all things” or “and each, every, the whole and everything”, “whatsoever” which means “as great as, far as, much, many and all” “you shall ask” or “the disciples of Jesus shall crave, desire and require” “in prayer” which refers to “in earnest oratory and worship addressed to God”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to tell His disciples what would happen with whatever they requested while addressing and worshiping God.
The verse continues, “... believing, you shall receive.” Matthew added the words, “believing” which means “being persuaded of, having credit and confidence within”, “you shall receive” which means “the disciples would take hold of, carry away, claim, procure and obtain”. Matthew wrote how Jesus told His disciples if they “believed” that God was able to perform their requests, they would “procure and claim” what they asked.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus promised His disciples they could “receive” whatever they asked for as long as they “believed” they would receive it. This might seem incredulous at first glance, but those who read these words must remember, these men were to “deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow” Jesus. Selfish ambitions and desires would be set aside, and only that which aligns with the Heavenly Father would qualify to be fulfilled. God desires to do great works in His Kingdom, and He uses men and women who have yielded their lives to His Son Jesus to carry out His work. When they submit themselves to His authority and desires, they shall ask “whatsoever” God desires and it shall be fulfilled.
Next time Matthew writes how the chief priests and elders ask Jesus, “by what authority do you do these things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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