Ask Your Father

This morning's Bible reading plan for me is Luke 11. While I have heard these words and read them many times, God is using them today to instill His promise in me.

"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luke 11:9-13)

Recently a friend was explaining a situation with her daughter. As much as I wanted to help her, I felt inadequate due to never having children and not being close to my nieces or nephews. I don't know what it's like when a child is hurt, when the child hurts the parents, or when parents give gifts to them. However, I know what it's like to give gifts to others, especially unexpected ones, for no uncertain reason other than to show my love and appreciation for them.

The closer I grow to Jesus Christ, the more God becomes a Father to me. Yet, while I have started my prayers for years with 'Dear Lord, my Father,' I never really took time to meditate on God being a father to me and what that entails.

My pastor has used these words with me over and over again. Still, with articles I have read, some interpret this to mean that God will only give or bless us with what will further the glory of God, His Will, and His kingdom.

This does not appear to be what God is saying to me this morning.

I am being moved to view God as my Father, just as I had a biological father. He's reminding me how my dad loved me, provided for me, and did his best to give me whatever I asked for or needed. When I asked for something, my dad gave me what I asked for, not because it benefited him or helped him achieve a life goal but because he loved me and wanted to see me happy. Of course, what I asked for from my dad and what I received weren't always the same. Usually, however, whatever I received suited me, and I cherished it as much and sometimes more than what I thought I wanted or needed. This is the same with asking for something from God.

I want to encourage not only to worship and honor God for His deity but also to turn to Him as the loving Father that He is too. So don't be afraid to ask for what you want but at the same time, remember, God is your Father and knows what's best for you.