Today's Passage - John 16:25-30

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 16:25-30    "...... In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."                  The Lord said in verse 26, "In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf." In that day, we can cry out to God in the name of the Lord. Brothers and sisters, that would be an impossible feat in the Old Testament times, because at that time people trembled in fear when they came before God, and only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place.                  Before entering the Most Holy Place, the high priest must cleanse himself for three days. Once he entered the Holy Place, as bells were hanging around the hem of his robe, the people outside knew he was still alive when they heard the bells ringing.  It was an extremely terrifying experience when a guilty person came before the holy God, because he might have offended God and there was no cleansing of the sins, thus God struck him to death on the spot. Whenever I read these passages, I am glad that we are living in the New Testament times, and we can pray before God with confidence. Brothers and sisters, do you treasure this authority that God has given to you?                  Psalm 77:19 says, "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." When the Israelites came to the edge of the Red Sea, looking at the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army pursuing them, it seemed there was no way out. It turned out that God's way is really in the depths! God prepared dry ground for their passages, that's beyond imagination! Daniel's three friends were asked to worship the gold idols before King Nebuchadnezzar; then they see there was no way out as they had to die if they did not do it. It turned out the Lord came beside them as they were thrown in the fiery furnace, and the fire did them no harm! Wonderful! Inconceivable!                  Brothers and sisters, God's way is really in the depths, and his footprints are not seen. We need to pray, because in prayer we can understand God's will, and see God's way. Are you in distress? May God help us to trust no more the wisdom of the flesh to solve problems, but to look upon God in prayer, steadfast in prayers, not giving up; finally you will enter the abundance that God has prepared for you.                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, thank you, because you have opened a new and living way for us, such that we can approach you with confidence. You will bear all of our weaknesses, and show our ways. We thank and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!