Our scripture this morning is Matthew 7:8-11.
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 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.
Jesus gives us this teaching about prayer and persistence. The parable of the Unjust Judge in Luke 18 shares the same wisdom. If we go to our Father in heaven with honest requests, God will honor them, but remember, the Lord will only give us good gifts.
Jesus uses our sadly human tendency to fall prey to evil in both of these examples, saying “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.” He doesn’t compare us to shame us, but to highlight the goodness of God.
As we continue to ask God for good gifts, our lives become more focused on Him and the good gifts we have to share with each other. God calls us to be His answer to the prayers of those in need. When we ask, seek and knock, the door opens for us to be part of His work in our world.
Gracious God, You are the giver of all good gifts. Bless us to share in Your name. Amen.
