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On the Threshold
pp. 237, 238
Under this heading as opportunity occurs, we are printing a series of short meditations,
originally designed to accompany a daily reading. We have, as a matter of interest,
retained the original date heading, and the reader will understand why we have entitled
this series "On the Threshold", for in 1909, we commenced the series entitled
"Dispensational Expositions" in Things to Come and at the same time No.1, Volume I
of The Berean Expositor was published. There is nothing very striking about this
simple little series, it sought then to minister to the heart's need and that need is as great
today if not greater.
January 5th, 1908
"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11: 24).
There is such a thing as making one's self believe, and this can produce but "make
believe" prayer. There is such a thing as a desire, which as James 4: 2 says receive not.
"Ye desire, and have not, ye ask and receive not." True prayer is the outcome of true
faith inwrought by the Holy Spirit, Rom. 8: 26 "We know not what we should pray for
as we ought, . . . . . but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us". "Strength for
much has the prayer of a righteous man when it is inworked (by God)." "If I regard
iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." "No good thing will He withhold, from
those who walk uprightly." "He will fulfil the desires of them that fear Him." True
prayer is accompanied by a consistent life, and it is vain to imagine that our desires will
be granted if we are not seeking to please the Lord.
Compare and ponder well the parallel verse in I John 3: 21, 22 "Beloved, if our
hearts know nothing against us, then have we boldness toward God. And whatsoever we
ask we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight".
"Fear not, for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name" (Isa. 43: 1).
What gracious assurance is here given to the child of God! Let us notice its basis "I
have redeemed thee". Let us pause over this statement. First, our assurance is secure
because it depends not upon ourselves but the Lord, "I have". We are not to look for our
security, at our goodness, our frames of mind, but look away to Him Who quickeneth the
dead, Who chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Praise God! He has not
left us to the doubtful issues of human strength, but says "Fear not for I have". Secondly,
assurance rests upon the finished Work of Christ. Until sin has been dealt with, until the
awful debt has been paid and justice satisfied, we have every reason to fear, but when
once in infinite mercy the Lord reveals to us the Saviour, the spotless Sin offering,
bearing our sins and providing us with righteousness, from that moment we hear the