All of the blessings and benefits which are visited upon the sons of GOD come to them as a result of their union with CHRIST from before the foundation of the world. Their standing before HIM is because they have been made the seed of CHRIST and thus chosen in HIM to be HIS heirs and joint heirs. CHRIST has come into the world in order to accomplish their redemption from the curse of the law and to deliver them from the darkness in which they were born as members of Adam’s sinful race.
Thus we read “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Eph 2:1-3) By nature (i.e.; Adam’s nature, the flesh) the sons of GOD are no different than any of the rest of the sons of men. All are under the curse of the law and made to feel its lash and suffer its penalty.
Yet those who have been appointed to obtain HIS mercy (“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thess 5:9)) must of necessity inherit those promises which are in the eternal covenant of redemption which is given to CHRIST. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Gal 3:16) So while they are born into this world with the same nature as all men, they are not appointed to destruction (as are those who are not born from above) but to obtain salvation.
This “salvation” is that which has been procured (i.e.; obtained, secured, accomplished, see Heb. 9:12) by JESUS CHRIST who has come into the world for this very purpose; even as the angel declared to Joseph, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mat 1:21) The labors and sufferings of CHRIST were entered into in order to accomplish HIS purpose which is made manifest in the unfolding of the blessings which are the direct result of HIS desire to deliver those that are HIS. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:4-6)
We read of this “desire” in Hebrews, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2) And also in Isaiah’s prophecy, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:10-11)
The LORD JESUS CHRIST was truly a MAN of prayer, as we read of numerous occasions when HE went up into the mountain “to pray”. (see Mat.13:43; Mark 6:46; 13:42; Luke 6:12; 9:28) One of the chief objections which we often hear of men, who cavil against the predestination of all things by the LORD, is that they see then no reason to pray. How foolish is such reasoning. Here we have the example of HIM who knew the end from the beginning and what is in the hearts of men, yet HE prayed, making HIS requests known unto HIS heavenly FATHER in whom is no shadow of turning. It is impossible that a man who knows and loves the MAKER of heaven and earth, should not pray and seek HIM, glorying in seeing HIS will performed in the earth and worshipping at HIS footstool. “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal 4:6)
Would it not be truly foolish to pray unto one who does not control all events and ordain them to occur according to the good pleasure of HIS will? If HE must wait upon the “free will” of men in order to see HIS purposes accomplished, then would we not seek to change men rather than rejoice to see HIS will done in the earth as it is in heaven?
The “request of HIS lips” shall be granted because HE does always desire to see HIS FATHER glorified and HIS will accomplished. “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:38-40)
Thus we see the LORD pray this very prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane as HE sets forth the “request of HIS lips”; “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John17:9-11) This is a prayer which does not go out of feigned lips but is the very yearning of HIM who desires to see HIS FATHER magnified.
The “request of HIS lips” must be granted because HE and HIS FATHER are ONE. HE is the “fullness of the GODHEAD bodily” and HE cannot desire anything which HIS FATHER does not or vice versa. Thus HE always receives the “request of HIS lips.”
Therefore the sons of GOD are given HIS SPIRT to comfort, teach, and guide them into all truth. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16) It is the FATHER’s will to give the kingdom to HIS children (see Luke 12:32) and this is how HE will manifest HIS desire. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
HE will raise HIS purchased possession (i.e.; HIS bride, HIS church, HIS people) from the grave at the last day. “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3) “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thes 4:16-18)
HE has destroyed HIS enemies who are one and the same with the enemies and accusers of HIS people. “Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.” (Psa 92:11) “And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.” (Isa 63:6) None who would hurt or destroy the sons of GOD shall ever be heard from again as HE destroys even the last enemy: death. “O death where is thy sting”
HIS greatest “intercession” on the behalf of HIS people is not in the “prayer” of HIS lips but in HIS very presence before the throne of GOD as the GREAT HIGH PRIEST over the household of GOD and the LAMB slain for sinners. As the hymn writer said, “Five bleeding wounds HE bears, received on Calvary, they pour effectual prayers they strongly plead for me. Forgive him, oh forgive, they cry, nor let that ransomed sinner die.” As long as HE is seated upon that throne, the sons of GOD shall never perish, but rather enjoy HIS benefits forever. This is the “request of HIS lips” and the demonstration of HIS actions. Do you worship HIM?
mam