In John 17:24 our Lord petitioned Almighty God … “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.”
The prayer is asking that all us who are genuinely saved some day be “with Jesus,” eternally. Be with Him where He is!
But is that not one of the very fundamentals of soul salvation? Going to Heaven and not to Hell?
IF you are saved … you WILL spend eternity with the Lord Jesus! The very second death occurs, according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8, we go “absent from the body” to “present with the Lord!”
And even should we live to the Rapture … at the very point of meeting Jesus in the air … “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Yet Jesus, knowing these salvation verses better than any of us … still prays: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.”
Hence the Lesson title this morning … “Praying the definite Will of God!”
But is that necessary, that type prayer? Jesus sure seemed to believe that was the case!
Is not that (God’s Will) going to happen (come to pass) anyway? Absolutely! No doubt!
Still, looks like God wants US to cooperate with HIM in accomplishing that sure result, His Will being done! To desire the same things He desires!
That’s the example Jesus set anyway!
But even more, such praying of God’s Will is not only illustrated, but clearly commanded!
Where?
“After this manner therefore PRAY ye” … with the verb pray (“proseuchomai” in Greek, going “face-to-Face” with Almighty God, asking the desires of one’s heart) being an imperative! A stark command from God, from Jesus!
But what did He command me to pray? “Thy WILL be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
Yes … on praying God’s Will!
Then again in Ezekiel 36, another example occurs. With God talking once more! God, Who is determined to bless Israel”
Ezekiel 36:34-36 … “And the desolate land (Israel) shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.” God’s specific Will, right? “I WILL DO IT!”
Then the very next verse … “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this BE ENQUIRED OF by the house of Israel, to do it for them.” That is God saying, “I STILL WANT THEM TO ASK ME TO DO THIS, TO PLEAD MY VERY WILL TO BE ENCACTED!”
Wow!
As a lad I prayed often, “God save the lost, if it be Thy Will.” Mom called me aside one night and said, “Mike it is always God’s will to save the lost. But go ahead and pray that anyway. It is extremely pleasing to God to hear such compassion!” (Read 2 Peter 3:9, the verse Mom had in mind: “THE LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.”) Mom and Dad taught me the importance of soul-winning early in life. “Whosoever will may come …”
Amen!
So now I understand Jesus’ John 17:24 “Petition” a little better … “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.”
And so shall we, be with Him!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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