As Jesus spent his last hours with his disciples, he said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23). Then he told them further, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (16:24).
What an incredible statement! As this scene took place, Christ was warning his followers that he was going away and he wouldn’t see them for a time. Yet, in the very same breath, he assured them they had access to every blessing of heaven. All they had to do was ask in his name.
Considering all the power and resources we have in Christ, most believers have asked almost nothing in his name. Christ’s words to his disciples convict me: “Until now you have asked nothing in My name.” Here is what I believe grieves God’s heart more than all the sins of the flesh combined. Our Lord is grieved by the ever-growing lack of faith in his promises — by the ever-increasing doubts that he answers prayer and by a people who claim less and less of the power that is in Christ.
The world has never known a needier time. Yet there is less petitioning than ever in the name of Jesus, and as the days pass, Christians are asking less and less of the Lord. They are afraid to step out, often because of unbelief.
It is amazing how faithfully the Church refers to Christ’s name. We praise it, bless it, we sing about the “wonder-working power in the blessed name of the Lord.” But we don’t appropriate the power that is in his name.
Beloved, we are to take our position in Christ and get hold of God’s Word. His promises are the weapons of our warfare and they will become mighty in our hands when we lay hold of them.