Thursday 15^th November

Matthew 7:7-11 (Luke 11:9-13)

‘Prayer without ceasing, giving thanks always’

Following on from Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus adds this valuable lesson of persistence in prayer. Ask, Seek and Knock are the pro-active doings words Jesus uses to encourage the believer. Jesus says in verse 7 that if we ask we will receive, if we seek we will find and if we knock the door will be open. He repeats this again in verse 8 highlighting the importance of what He is trying to say.

Jesus again gives a practical example of asking and receiving by using a child and father relationship. Jesus often uses parenthood to explain His relationship with us His children. So in verse 9 – 10 Jesus questions if a child were to ask for bread or fish would a father give a stone or snake? Luke adds an egg and scorpion to this analogy. The answer to Jesus’ question is obviously no if the father truly loves his son. A good father wants the best for child.

Jesus then gives a reality check to the believer. He says that if we being sinful (evil in Luke) are able to give good gifts, how much more will our Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask of Him. Jesus’ focus here is not of our sinful state but rather about how generous a Father He is, to His beloved children. When we realise how much God loves us and wants the best for us, we can enter His presence boldly and trust that what we ask for in accordance with His will, will be given. Remember, Jesus said that He gives good gifts to those who ask. That sometimes might not be what we deem or want to be our good gift but the Father knows what His children need.

Luke’s gospel in chapter 11 verse 13 gives the most precious good gift of all. Jesus says that The Holy Spirit is His good gift to those who ask. Amen. In fact it’s not a good gift but a great gift. The Comforter, Healer, and Counselor is just a prayer away.

A thought; The Fathers gifts are so great that they keep on giving back to us. What do I mean? If I were to give bread to my child it would run out after he had finished eating it. When Jesus promised that He would give the Holy Spirit to His children, it was not a one off perishable gift but a gift that keeps on giving. The Holy Spirits gives Spiritual gifts, graces us with fruit, open our hearts to see and receive Jesus Christ, helps us in understanding Gods word and the list goes on.. The Fathers gifts are truly not just good but great and always are for His glory.

Daily Prayer

Lord let me ask of You, seek You and knock after You. For every good and perfect gift come from Your kind and gracious Heart. Increase our faith so we may glorify You in our giving and receiving. Amen

Wednesday 14th November

Matthew 6:25-34 

Jesus continues in verse 30 with this encouraging statement “And if God so wonderfully cares for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you”(NLT). How great it is to know that our Heavenly cares intently for our every need. But Jesus doesn’t stop there. In verse 31 and 32 Jesus issues and strong warning to His disciples. He tells them that worrying about physical needs and daily provisions is what Gentiles (unbelievers) do. In modern day terms worrying is Practical Atheism. Why… because Jesus clearly states at the end of verse 32 that He already knows what we need before we even ask. In other words if we worry about what we will eat, drink and wear we are saying that we don’t have enough faith to believe that our God is our Almighty Father that supplies us with our every need. In fact Jesus uses the statement ‘O you of little faith’. We are to put our trust in our Almighty Father and know that He will look after His children.

Jesus in verse 33 takes it one step further. He encourages the disciples not to even think of worldly material possessions but rather to seek God’s Kingdom (His salvation) and live righteously before Him and God will take care of everything else. Robert H. Mounce in his commentary on Matthew rightly states that “Instead of nervous anxiety about those basic physical necessities that God in His providence is perfectly able to supply….” we must “…seek God’s Kingdom and that righteousness of life that demonstrates obedience to His divine will.” Simply put, don’t focus on what you have or don’t have, but rather focus on Jesus and bringing glory to His Name. God will take care of the rest. That is His promise to us; it is His own words. A preacher once said that when you are going through a hard time not follow your emotions but rather stand firm and fast on God’s unchanging, infallible, inherent WORD OF GOD. For in it there you will find the strength to get you through your situation and realise it’s not about you and your needs but about who God is and what we can give to Him.

Jesus issues a final warning in verse 34 and tells us one final time. Do not worry about tomorrow. He didn’t say that our lives would be without problems but instead we must increase our faith to rely on Him daily. We may not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future in His Hands. 

Daily Prayer

Lord I pray for those without, that You in Your grace will provide for them. I thank You that You have given me all I need in the world. Lord I thank You far more for the provision of Your Son Jesus Christ who has paid my price for my sin and shame that I may forever have an eternal relationship with You. Let me not seek after material possessions but seek after Your will in my life so I may bring glory to Your Name. Amen