James Smith, 1842

"Ask, and it shall be given unto you." Luke 11:9

When we reflect upon our poverty, necessity, and misery — and then read of the fullness there is in the Lord Jesus Christ; a fullness that contains every variety of blessing, and a fullness of every one — we are led to ask, what is necessary in order to obtain Christ's blessings? And the reply to this inquiry is given us by Himself, "Ask, and it shall be given unto you." Ask, and the richest blessings of grace; ask, and the greatest blessings in glory — shall be given!

He gives His own blessings, and He has a right to fix upon His own terms. He has done so, and we should be exceedingly grateful for the mercy. His words imply:
"Bring your needs — I will supply them;
bring your grievances — I will redress them;
bring your distresses — I will attend to them.
I have all that you can need;
I am willing to impart them all."

But are these blessings intended for me? Yes, Jesus addresses you, and says to you, "Ask, and it shall be given unto you."

'But I am a sinner.' He came into the world to save sinners; He lives in Heaven to intercede for sinners; and He bestows the choicest of His blessings upon sinners!

'But I have dishonored His name, slighted His counsel, and loved lying vanities.' Enough to make you mourn — but not sufficient to make you despond. Add not to your other sins this — making Jesus a liar; He says to you, though you have acted so unworthy, though you deserve His wrath, and to be banished from His presence, "Ask, and it shall be given You." He cannot deny His word, He will not act contrary to His promise. You have committed sins enough to damn thousands — but Jesus still says, "I will never cast out! Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved." His word, is your warrant; the love He has ever manifested to sinners, is your encouragement. He will get more glory by pardoning your sins, and glorifying you with Himself — than by banishing you to the confines of despair; and His determination in all His proceedings is, "I WILL BE GLORIFIED."

Hence He says of some such as you are, "I will purify them from all the wrongs they have committed against Me, and I will forgive all the wrongs they have committed against Me, rebelling against Me. And it shall be to me for a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth." Jeremiah 33:8, 9.

There is a fountain for all sin and for uncleanness — and it is an OPEN fountain. Open for you, for any, for all who desire to be cleansed from their sins; and to be made fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Question anything rather than this, that Jesus is ready to forgive, willing to distribute the blessings of His grace, and to make good His own word, in the experience of the guilty and undone. You have nothing to encourage you but His name, His nature, His practice, and His word — but these are everything. Draw near to Him with a true heart, in full assurance of faith; that is, firmly believing what He has said, and assured that He will not, cannot deny Himself. He says, "As many as you find, bid to the marriage feast!" In His name, I

bid you, to His fullness, to His throne, to His bosom — for all that you need.

See, from the rock a fountain rise!
For you in healing streams it rolls;
Money you need not bring, nor price,
You laboring, burdened, sin-sick souls.

Nothing you in exchange shall give,
Leave all you have and are, behind;
Freely the gift of God receive,
Pardon and peace in Jesus find!