How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit ...

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What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

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There is a pure grace involved in prayer that many find uncomfortable. The idea that a father in heaven longs to lavish us with good things is a foreign concept for many who have grown up trying to earn their father's love. Sadly, our image of God is often molded by the brokenness of our earthly parents. Even so, Christ speaks to us in this passage and tells us that even the best of the best of parents here on earth cannot be compared to our heavenly parent.

Many times Christians focus on the gifts of the Spirit but seldom is there mentioned the Spirit as a gift. Perhaps this is so because we want the gifts that the Spirit can give us (i.e. wisdom, healing, miracles, etc.) rather than the Spirit himself? Consider how Paul says in Romans that "you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Maybe this gift of himself is one that gives the spiritual identity that we so long for?

Abba! Daddy! Thank you for the gift of the new birth. Help me to live like your child today.

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