The connection between asking God and joy.
Have you considered the connection between asking God for what we want and receiving joy? The relationship isn’t intuitive, but it’s evident in scripture when in John 16:25, Jesus reminded his disciples, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24)
Over and over, Jesus encourages us to ask him!
- Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. – John 14:13–14
- If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7
- I chose and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16
Sometimes we don’t think about our desires because we are worried that in doing so, we’ll fall into selfishness and worldly-centered cravings. Or maybe it’s the opposite – because we love our independence and think we can provide for ourselves.
But God wants us to tell Him what we want!
Psalm 37:4 says, “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
In Mark 10:46-52, before Jesus heals Bartimaeus, the blind man, he asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” at which he exclaims, “Rabbi, I want to see!”
The Lord is a good father who wants to lavish us with grace and gifts. When we don’t ask, we forfeit many blessings and, as a result, much joy.
Ask big! The bigger we ask, the greater his reward, the more glory God receives, and the more joy overflows to those around us. As sons and daughters of the King, the more we ask, the more others will see his goodness!
Answer the Lord’s question today, “What do you want me to do for you?” And tell him! He wants to hear, he wants to give, and he wants your joy to be complete!