ROCK-STEADY FATHER

OPENING PRAYER:

Almighty God, I am assured that You know what is ahead of me today and will provide exactly what I need. I praise and thank You.

READ: Matthew 7:7–12

Ask, Seek, Knock “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:7–12

REFLECT:

‘Thank you, Lord God, for being my heavenly Father. Help me to grasp more fully the depth of your love and the security I have in you. Amen.’

The golden rule (v 12) is a continuation of Jesus’ teaching on the kind of relationships kingdom people should have with each other (7:1–5). So, why does Jesus deviate from his relationship theme with comments about prayer and God’s character (vs 9–11)? Could it be that our relationship with others depends on our understanding of what God is like? If we constantly worry about ourselves, we will have no space to think of others.

As we begin to grasp the scale and scope of Father God’s goodness and love for us – understanding that he desires to give us, his children, everything necessary for us to grow and flourish (v 11) – the vice-like grip of self-preservation begins to loosen. Understanding that our heavenly Father is always available to us (v 7), always listens and always responds (v 8), gives us a profound security. As we rely on our rock-steady heavenly Father, knowing he will give us what we need, when we need it (v 11), we are freed from self-reliance and worry. We are freed to be like our Father, to see and respond to the needs of others (v 12).

APPLY:

Whatever is on your mind, take it to your Father God. Then ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of how you might meet a need for someone else today.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Lord, my prayers seem so small when I consider the challenges of Your teaching. Thank You that You long to do great things through my life. I ask You to work mightily in me for Your glory.

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