[Songs in the Night - July 21]
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. John 15:4
OUR Lord gives us an intimation that the growing
of much fruit is not wholly dependent upon ourselves,
and that even while we abide in him as fruitbearing
branches the quality and quantity of the fruit is to be
improved by our having proper ideals before our
minds, and earnestly seeking their realization.
Thus
he says, "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you,
ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto
you."
The intimation is that the desire and the asking
of the Father at the throne of heavenly grace is a
means by which we may more and more receive of the
sap of the Vine, the Holy Spirit, and be enabled to
develop the fruits of the Spirit.
It will be noticed that
nothing here implies the seeking or finding of earthly
good things.
These are to be left wholly to the Lord's
wisdom and providence, and his people, the true
branches of the Vine, are to desire and to seek for the
Holy Spirit, which the Father is more willing to give
to them than earthly parents are to give good gifts to
their children. Z'99-111 R2466:2 (Hymn 91)