photo #4291162

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! --- Matthewv7:9-11 Two pictures illustrate how God is willing more than a father toward a child to answer prayer and show Himself strong in our behalf. The picture of giving bread and not a stone and a fish, not a serpent, is visualized. These are good things a father will do. There is no hesitation. Instead, there is a wonderful comparative picture. Our heavenly father loves us and will give us what we need. He will not tease. He is willing to reply and help us. God’s willingness to answer prayer is greater than a father-to-child. It is also a picture of a specific prayer. When we ask for something specific, God will not give us something else we don’t need. When we ask for something, God will give it to us. A father would not give something unhelpful to a child. With these warm pictures of a father acting in fatherly wisdom, Jesus asked won’t God our Father exercise Fatherly wisdom and give what is best to His children. This promise is one we can bank on and live confidently with. Look to the Lord, the giver of all good things. --- Dan Nelson