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This week we commence looking at Luke Chapter 11. The early part of the chapter recounts the teaching that is commonly referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 11:11-13 (NIV)
‘”Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”’
I’ve mentioned in previous devotions that Christmas in our house involves many, many presents. Cath and I used to buy loads for our children and then both sets of grandparents would buy even more! It used to take most of the day and the evening just to open everything.
Then came the difficult task of trying to find room for the things. Cath is a firm believer in ‘out with the old and in with the new’. Any toy/game that hadn’t been played much in the previous year would find its way to a local charity shop.
Looking at the mountain of presents that were in front of us, some of the gifts were loved by the children, others weren’t quite so popular. I don’t think there was single one that was a ‘bad present’. Some of the presents had been specifically asked for and was on their Christmas list. Others were given because it was thought that the child would appreciate it and want it.
Luke records Jesus saying that when children ask their father for something, they do not receive something that is almost completely opposite.
I don’t know why these particular items are chosen but it could be that they are mentioned just to make the point more forcibly.
If a child asks for a fish to eat, would the father give a snake? It’s a completely crazy thing to imagine. If the son asks for an egg, would he be given a scorpion? Equally bizarre and noticeable.
Jesus is saying that it is inconceivable to think that anything bad, dangerous or harmful would be given to our children. How much more is God’s heart full of good things for His children?
In Matthew’s account of this story, the last part of the verse says ‘give good gifts to those who ask Him’. This isn’t really a contradiction or even an issue. The two really are in perfect accord. After all, the Holy Spirit is the source of all that is good.
Let us come before our Heavenly Father having recognised how much He loves us, and ask that He provides good things in our life. Are you having issues with things in your life that are bad or harmful? Ask God to replace them with good things. He has given us His Holy Spirit and in 2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness”.
Everything we need is ours if we prayerfully ask Him. Pray with open arms and have faith to receive an abundance of good things.
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