What do you want Me to do for you?

What do you want Me to do for you?

" What do you want Me to do for you? " Mark 10:36

This question was addressed by our Lord to the two sons of Zebedee, who came to Him saying, "Master, we ask that You should do for us whatever we desire." And their request was their own exaltation to a position of superior honor, irrespective of any special fitness for it. "Grant us," said they, "that we may sit one on Your right hand, the other on Your left hand, in Your glory."

Our Lord could not, consistently with His glory and their good, grant such a petition. And often still do the people of God ask and receive not—because they ask amiss. Either the object of their earnest desire is not good—or their motive in seeking it is an improper one.

It is our happiness in prayer to come to One who, while He encourages us to make known all our desires to Him—will, in infinite wisdom and goodness, withhold such things as would be harmful to us, however earnestly we may desire them.

Or He may even deny us things which are good in themselves, but which we are not prepared to receive—as when He sees that the bestowment of them would minister to pride and vain glory.

Oh that when He says to us, "What do you want Me to do for you?"—we may be enabled to present such petitions as He can consistently with His glory fulfill!

"Not what we wish—but what we want,
  O let Your grace supply!
  The good unasked, in mercy grant;
  The ill, though asked, deny!"

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