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What I wantThursday, March 5, 2009
Psalm 138:8
Matthew 7:7-11
"Which of you, if his 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!
God won't give me anything that's bad for me. And I don't always know what is good for me. Sure, I know what I want. I want a big meal and a great dessert afterward. I want plenty of sleep and all the time in the world to write these devotions. I want to be loved by everybody all the time. I want what I want when I want it. Is that what God's purpose is for me? How often does what I want make me more self-centered or more closed-minded? Comfort and pleasure are such a big deal, seem so important, are so dangerous. Getting my way too often tends to make me feel proud and entitled. Margaret says Jesus wants me to ask so we can have relationship. Fulfilling his "purpose for me" always includes that connection with him, our friendship, our brother-ness. Jesus loves me, and wants to hang out with me. And he knows that is how I will become all that I can be. So over the years He will teach me (if only I'll close my mouth and open my mind to learn) to ask for the one gift I'll always get, because it's the bread and the fish that sustain my spiritual life: "Be with me, Lord Jesus." Good times. Your love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your hands. |
"Ask and it will be given." Why did Jesus have to say that? This is a most confusing and potentially disappointing promise. The verses are almost always quoted out of context, and the next passage isn't considered; but in that next passage Jesus does qualify his promise.