Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread?
Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish?
As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children.
Your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask. [Matthew 7:9-11 CEV]
Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish?
As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children.
Your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask. [Matthew 7:9-11 CEV]
I wonder if James was thinking about these verses when he wrote:
My Christian brothers, do not be fooled about this. Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. ... We are the first children in His family. [James 1:16,18 NLV]There is a deception that many embrace when bad things happen.
When cancer or some other horrible disease strikes, some call it God's will.
When an earthquake or tsunami kills thousands, ignorant people call it an act of God.
Folks often give up, thinking that it is really not God's desire to give good things.
It is important that we understand God's role correctly when bad things happen.
Our view of God will affect our relationship to God and how we interact with him in prayer.
Jesus communicates here that the Father's will is to give good things his children.
He indicates that it our role to trust the character of our Father with our requests.
And to know that it is His desire to give us good things that we need and not simply crave.
This is where it gets a bit dicey - when we do not receive what we think we need.
In times like those, it is best to simply lean into the character of God as our Father.
We need this most when life is hard and our prayers are unanswered.
Lord, you are good. Whatever happens, I choose to trust your goodness and your love for me.
... this devotion is part of the Red Letters series. Click here to read more.
Good thinking on these passages. I'm really enjoying these daily passages you are sharing your insight and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI like the statement "this is where it gets a bit dicey - when we do not get what we think we need." Hmmm...but His thoughts and perspectives are not ours, are they. That's why I trust that He is good.
ReplyDeleteIt does get dicey Janna. Trusting God is really trusting that he is always good. Hard for some who think that God gives bad things (like tornadoes and earthquakes) as well as good. Thanks for reading and stopping by.
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