If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)
Jesus instructed His followers to place their treasures in heaven. He then said that the issue of treasure was also a matter of who we serve and who we despise. That was then expanded to look at life pursuing treasures in the Kingdom contrasted to life being anxious about the basics of life. The thread isn’t broken as Jesus addresses mercy in relationships where rather than looking to judge others, we recognise our need to sort ourselves out rather than getting hung up with the hang-ups of others.
So whether it’s the physical basic necessities we need, or the Kingdom of righteousness that informs our relationships, we can be rest assured that our heavenly Father will give us what we need. Even though He knows what we need before we ask – He still invites us to ask. Even though He has what we are looking for – He still invites us to seek. Even though He is waiting right behind the door – He still invites us to knock.
A question some might ask at this point would be – why? Why doesn’t this good Father just give me what I need? Why do we have to go through the asking, seeking and knocking?
What kind of child does the Father want to raise? An entitled, selfish, spoilt brat who expects things on tap? Or a humble, serving, loving and interdependent child who takes as much pleasure in honouring the Father? That due honour and respect is seen accepting the invitation to keep asking, seeking and knocking and so in that way grow in the key qualities that others would note to reflect what makes them children of God.
We are never independent. We are never self-sufficient. We are never self-indulgent. As that child depends on the parent, so we express our ongoing need for the Father even as we grow.
This can happen when we know our Father. When we know that this is the Father who is establishing a Kingdom of righteousness, we can take joy in asking for what we need. When we know that this is the Father who is making it possible for us to have a right relationship with Him despite our rebellious nature, we can take pleasure in seeking Him while He can be found. When we know that this is the Father who offers the opportunity to have flourishing relationships with others as we pursue the Kingdom together, we can take delight in knocking the door for Him to open up those opportunities.
When we know our Father – beyond glib prayers and routine religious rituals – we won’t see His invitation as an insult. We will see it for the challenge it brings for us to humble ourselves and get on asking, seeking and knocking.
(Photo by William Stitt on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 