Tuesday, 7 February 2023

Matthew 7:9-11 God Is Good

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Matthew 7:9-11 "For what man among you, when his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or when he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

If it were true (as some propose) that we only need to do is name "it" in order to claim "it" (aka "blab it and grab it"). After all, the Bible does say ... Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in Adonai, and He will give you the requests of your heart. God is not our "genie in a bottle." We are not God, He is! "Delight yourself in Adonai" means to ask in accordance with His will.

The point of today's message is at the end of the Scripture selection ... (paraphrasing) Your Father in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him! However; the response of many is to blame (or find fault with) God, if we ask and don't receive. Let's save any doubt until we arrive at the other side of eternity. Hint: Then there will be no doubt.

Jacob (James) 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives so you may spend it on your passions.

We think we're adults, when in reality, we're only grown up children. Children are famous for asking for things that are not good for them. For example, children would eat candy for dinner if we'd let them (I confess, me too). As adults, we are supposed to know when to say yes and when to say no. Our heavenly Father is the same, and His judgment is perfect.

Psalm 19:10b The judgments of Adonai are true and altogether righteous.

This leads me to a question. Why do we pout and doubt God's faithfulness when we don't get what we seek? To believe in God, means to trust in His goodness, no matter what. Faith is only faith when it stands in the face of adversity.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

One last word ... There is a danger in writing a message such as this; as soon as it is written, it will be tested.

Job 13:15a Even if He slays me, I will wait for Him.

Waiting for Him is description of faithfulness. Part of faithfulness is to believe that God is consistently good.

Jacob 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

All of this points us to the value of the armor of God

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.

Let's come together as the faithful of the Lord and trust in Him always. We say in Hebrew, Ayn Li Bre'ra, meaning "I don't have a choice."