Scripture to Read: Matthew 7:9–10
Jesus has given us a beautiful picture in Matthew 7:7–8 on how we are to ask and keep on asking, seek, and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking as we grow in our intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Then, Jesus uses the illustration of the father/son relationship to help everyone better understand how loving, gracious, and kind our Heavenly Father is to all of His children. Jesus said in Matthew 7:9–10, “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?” Jesus asks the first question: If anyone’s son comes to his father and asks him for a loaf of bread, will that father give his son a stone instead? The obvious answer is “no.” Jesus also asks: If a son asks his father for a fish, the father will not give his son a snake, will he? Again, the obvious answer is “no.” We all know that loving earthly fathers desire to take care of all of their children. A loving earthly father always has the best interest in mind for his children because he dearly loves and cares for them. Jesus is helping everyone understand that God the Father is not off in the distance, uncaring, uninvolved, and simply waiting for us to fail miserably. Since God the Father is so loving, gracious, and kind, we must ask, seek, and knock before Him daily if we're not already doing this.
Challenge & Application
· Why are the illustrations that Jesus uses so helpful to understand God the Father's love, grace, and kindness toward us?
· Why do so many people see God as unapproachable?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!