No father will answer his hungry child’s cry for bread – with a stone; or give the child a serpent – if he asks for a fish. Even sinful parents have in their hearts, something of the image of God’s own fatherhood. The argument is from the less to the greater. If a true earthly father, with all his imperfection, will not mock a child’s cry, but will respond lovingly – then how much more will our Father in Heaven do for us? Mathew 7:11
“How much more?” is a question none can answer. We can only say as much more – as the heavenly Father is more loving, and wiser, and more able to give, than is the earthly father. Yet we must explain this promise also by other scriptures. The gate of prayer is set very wide open in this verse – yet those who would enter must come in the right way and seek “good” things.
While no one who asks for bread will ever receive a stone, the love of God also entails that no one who asks for a stone receives a stone either. God gives good gifts only; for all good gifts, and all perfect gifts come from Him (Jas. 1:17). And many times do we come to God, pleading with Him to let us have a stone! Of course we imagine it is bread, and that it will be food to us. It could be some earthly thing, some gift of honor or pleasure, some achievement of ambition or some object of heart desire looking like bread to our deluded vision. But God knows it is only a cold stone, that it would leave us starving if we were to receive it; and He loves us much more than to listen to our cries for it, or to be moved by our earnestness to give it to us. When we ask for a stone we think we want, God gives us the bread we need!
God is a Giver. God loves you, and this love manifests in spiritual and tangible blessings. His will is to save, heal, bless, fill you with the Holy Spirit, hear your prayers, deliver you, and protect you.
Beloved, good things will find you. Do not be sad or bored with what lies ahead of you; instead, recognize that God is awakening new things and providing new insights on old things. God is recovering what has been stolen and returning it to you. He is reviving what had previously died, and reinventing the interpretation and inspiration of the original spark He placed within you before the beginning. Every righteous choice will bear good fruit in your life, and you will lack no good thing. Amen
Remain Blessed
Pastor Jerry Orhue
Senior Pastor, Gracevine Chapel
www.gracevinechapel.org
