James 4:2-3

My wife and I have three children. I am well used to them asking me for things, and I am really pleased that they do so - even more now that they are adults. However, there are limits to what I am happy to give them. That’s not because of a lack of love, but because I love them. If they ask me for something which I know will cause problems or damage them, I will say a firm: “No”.

This is exactly the principle behind today’s verses. God loves to give us gifts because he is incredibly generous. But he refuses to give us things when we ask with bad motives because he knows the outcome will be disastrous. It’s a weak and unloving father who piles gifts on his children simply because that’s what they’ve asked for. If we are only seeking to satisfy our own selfish desires, our loving heavenly Father will say no.

So what should we be asking God for? He loves it when we ask for his love, joy and peace, and when we ask him to strengthen and guide us. Those are exactly the gifts he loves to give to his children. Isaiah wrote: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29, 31).

Jesus made the same point. He told his followers that fathers don’t give their children a snake when they ask for a fish, or a scorpion when they ask for an egg. That would be ridiculous. And if human fathers manage to get it right, how much more confident should we be that God will get it right when we ask him for the blessing of his Spirit. So let’s ask God with confidence, but also ensure we are asking him for the right things.

QUESTION
What do you want to ask God for right now?

PRAYER
Loving Father, thank you that you are so generous. I invite you to fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that I will know more of your love, joy and peace and be better able to share them with others. Amen

Released on 2 Sep 2023