Fly to Him

Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: John 15:1-11

The Scripture text before us today as we continue to examine the life of prayer is commonly referred to as the discourse regarding "The True Vine." Contained within this teaching are several penetrating items that should fill our day as we pilgrim through the Christian life. Let's examine a few of them. First, we note that we are not the vine. Jesus plainly says that he alone holds that position. A vine is a life-giving plant that nourishes the grapes and causes them to grow. Second, we note that the purpose of the vine is to bear fruit. When a branch on the vine does not grow, it is cut off and removed. Those branches that are demonstrating growth and bearing fruit to one degree or another are pruned to cause them to produce more fruit. Third, we note that the only means by which one can bear fruit is being connected to the vine, which is Christ. There are no other ways or means. Only those who are united to Christ bear fruit. Fourth, and to the point of today's lesson on prayer, we note that those who abide in Christ and his words abide in them, they can ask for anything, and he will grant it. This fourth observation needs to be understood. That is not a blanket promise that if we ask for whatever, Christ will give it. No, it is a statement that says that we must first have the words of Christ in us. God indeed gives us the desires of our heart, but those desires must be rooted and grounded in what he desires for us.

Calvin wrote, "Whatever those in Christ may lack, there is relief ready for their poverty, so soon as they seek it from God. This is a very useful admonition, for the Lord often lets us go hungry to train us to earnestness in prayer. If we fly to him, we shall never lack what we ask, but he will supply us from his inexhaustible abundance with all that we need." (87). Asking for what we need is not the issue as we all have great needs. We can fly to Christ whenever we have these needs, but it is vital to remember that our needs and desires must be rooted in the words and desires of the Savior. McKim adds, "This may make it seem that we have free rein - that we can pray for anything we want and receive our every wish! The sky's the limit! But Jesus is clear that the prayers he is talking about spring from Christ's words and teachings that dwell in us. Calvin continues, "We take root in him by faith. We pray aright when we subject all our affections to the will of God." How is one to know what God's will is for us as we pray? By being deeply acquainted with the mind of God. That we will find as we plead for his Spirit to guide us through the reading of the Word of God. There is no other way. We fly to the Savior of our souls, bringing him his words with every confidence that he will hear us and do what we ask. One way to help do that is to learn to pray Scripture back to God who gave it. The Psalms are very useful in this area. If you need help with that, ask your pastor. I am sure he would be delighted to demonstrate it to you.