At our house, we shake the gift and try to guess its contents. It is a game we have played for years which has only served to make gift giving more fun for us all.
When the kids were younger, they would often ask, “Is it a good one?” They were asking if it was the one they had on the top of their list.
Sometimes it was and at other times, it was not. But even those times when it wasn’t, the gift was “good” or needed.
Jesus had a question about gifts:
“You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT)
In this passage, Jesus is teaching persistence in prayer. He is wanting us to learn to come to God with an attitude of expectation.
A parent would never trick or deceive a child by giving something inedible when they are hungry and asking for food.
“Good” – seems to be the word He wants us to focus on. He is asking …
“What is a good gift?”
The answer to that question is not – “Everything and anything we ask to receive.”
When our hearts’ desire is exactly the same as His, aligned with God’s will for us, then we are asking according to His good will.
Jesus encourages us to capture a correct view of God:
“He is the heavenly Father, the God of the kingdom, who graciously and willingly bestows the good gifts of the kingdom in answer to prayer.” (taken from The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 8, page 187)
As we pull apart this verse and delve deeper, Jesus is saying, “God will give you what He knows is best.” Scripture tells us, “You {God} are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:68, NLT) We will receive from Him only that which He knows is good, beneficial, and necessary for our lives.
May we keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking.
For our heavenly Father
has good gifts to give
to those who ask Him.
This is Day 6 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.
Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Everyday Jesus and Looking Up .
This post makes me smile because it reminds me of how our definition of “good gifts” change as we get more mature. Like when I was a kid, socks/underwear were the lamest gift ever. Now, as an adult, I am like YEAH SOCKS! Same spiritually speaking– when I was but a baby in Christ, the hard stuff of life was less well received. Now, years later (while I still grumble sometimes) I am more likely to receive what HE has given me with open hands, knowing there is a purpose behind it and He does give good gifts, even if they come wrapped in trial.
Thanks for this great post, Joanne! Have a great weekend.
It’s true, Sharita. Absolutely true. I hope we both accept His gifts more willingly & joyfully. Blessings!