Beloved Children

"Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Anyone who seeks, finds. If only you will knock, the door will open. If a child asks his father for a loaf of bread, will he be given a stone instead? If he asks for fish, will he be given a poisonous snake? Of course not! And if you hardhearted, sinful men know how to give good gifts to your children, won't your Father in heaven even more certainly give good gifts to those who ask him for them?

"Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell."

Matthew 7: 7:12 (TLB)

Paul Alex lives in Banten, Indonesia. A few years ago, his family was struggling financially. Paul was jobless; and they had two sons to support. Most days they had only rice and eggs to eat. Sometimes a friend or relative would buy them groceries or give them some money to buy food.

Once when they were at the store buying food, his youngest son whispered to his mother to ask if he could have a doughnut. But he quickly withdrew his request because he didn't want to be a burden or ask us to spend too much money. It broke Paul's heart. He immediately bought him the doughnut, and his reaction was priceless.

On the way home as Paul reflected on this, the Lord reminded him of Matthew 7:9. If Paul as an an earthly father would give anything to make his son happy and fulfill his desire, our heavenly Father is certainly willing to do the same for us! We can be sure that God cares about our needs and desires because we are God's beloved children.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us as your children. remind us that you know our needs and desires and will provide for us, in Jesus' name. Amen.