Checkbook of the Bank of Faith

BECAUSE it is a righteous desire it is safe for God to grant it. It would be neither good for the man himself, nor for society at large, that such a promise should be made to the unrighteous. Let us keep the Lord's commands, and he will rightfully have respect to our desires.

When righteous men are left to desire unrighteous desires, they will not be granted to them. But then these are not their real desires; they are their wanderings or blunders; and it is well that they should be refused. Their gracious desires shall come before the Lord, and he will not say them nay.

Does the Lord deny us our requests for a time? Let the promise for today encourage us to ask again. Has he denied us altogether? We will thank him still, for it always was our desire that he should deny us if he judged a denial to be best.

As to some things, we ask very boldly. Our chief desires are for holiness, usefulness, likeness to Christ, preparedness for Heaven. These are the desires of grace rather than of nature—the desires of the righteous man rather than of the mere man. God will not stint us in these things, but will do for us exceeding abundantly. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart."