My wife loves to give gifts to our grandchildren. She regularly sends our grandchildren in Virginia a box of candy and treats. The kids cannot wait to get grandma on FaceTime so that she can watch them open their box with all of the special treats inside. Mom and dad enjoy them too. It is simple stuff that in many cases could be purchased at a store out in Virginia, but this box is special because it is packed and prepared by grandma. Quite honestly, the cost to send the box to Virginia is almost always more than the cost of the stuff inside of the box, but that’s ok, because this box was prepared by grandma. As soon as the box is sent, grandma is already preparing the next box at home and adds things to it every couple of days.
My wife also loves to prepare boxes and bags for our kids in Michigan. Every one of the kids and grandchildren get something. Shampoo and conditioner for the long-haired daughters, coconut Girl Scout cookies for Wes, and Reese’s peanut butter treats for Steven. Then there is the grandkids. Diapers, outfits, and toys are always part of the bags. When we pack the car to head to Michigan, the trunk and backseat of the car are full of gifts for the entire clan. As soon as we return home, grandma begins on the next set of bags and boxes in anticipation of going to see them again. Every bag and box are always specially thought out and packaged with the anticipation of seeing the joy on the faces of our kids and grandchildren. She is a really good grandma!!!
As good as grandma is, and she is really good, Jesus tells us that she is evil. WHAT??? My kids and grandchildren will definitely have something different to say about that. Matthew 7:11 tells us “If you then, who are 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! Sounds to me like grandma is evil. Why would Jesus say something like that? Parents, earthly parents, are always looking to do what is best for their children and grandchildren. We are made that way, and yet we are flawed. Sin has corrupted each and every one of us and as good as grandma is, she cannot match the quality of parenting that God provides for us. When compared to our Heavenly Father, grandma is evil. Jealous grandpas can use that as a tool to get grandma. Haha.
Jesus is not saying that grandma is evil in the kind things that she does for her children and grandchildren. In fact, those gestures of kindness and love are a reflection of the Father’s love for us. What Jesus is stressing here is just how much the Father loves you and me. Grandma’s love is awesome, but compared to the love of your heavenly Father, it can only rise to the level of evil. Do we realize how much our Heavenly Father loves us? Sometimes I think we forget that and it is never more evident than in our prayers. We seem to always go to our Heavenly Father after the fact. We do what we think is best and if it does not work out the way that we had anticipated, it is then that we go to our Father. Why not ask Him first? Jesus said that all you need to do is ask Him (v.11). In verse 7 we are told to “ask”, “seek” and “knock”. A commentary of that verse describes it this way. “Ask. Disciples should come to God in humility and conscious of need. Seek connects one’s prayer with responsible action in pursuing the will of God. Knock suggests perseverance. Disciples are to persist in prayer, confident that their Father will provide whatever is best for them, according to His sovereign, gracious will.” The first thing that we need to do is to be conscious of our need and the One who can fill that need and then ask Him. As you seek, you search out the will of God. Read His Word. The knocking is our never ending pursuit of the throne room of heaven knowing that God listens to us, loves us, and will do what is best for us. As always the question remains: do you trust Him?
You can. You know that you can. Not one of us can recall a time when God has failed us and could not be trusted. He may not have answered your prayer the way that you wanted Him to, but He knows the end and you do not. Our prayers need to consist of asking, seeking, knocking, asking, seeking, knocking, asking, seeking and knocking some more. Prayer is an exercise for our good and ultimately, for the glory of God. The Bible tells us that our Heavenly Father really does know how to give good gifts; even better than grandmas. Way better! You just need to ask. Just ask Him! Whatever it is that you might be dealing with, talk to Him about it. Let Him know your griefs and burdens. Stop trying to carry it on your own. Peter tried it for a while. Jesus was at the point in His earthly life when, if He ever needed help, it was at the time that Peter bailed on Him. Not only did he bail on Jesus, he denied that he even knew Him. Imagine carrying that for the rest of your life and yet Peter gives us one of the most liberating verses in the Bible. 1Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Stop trying to do it all on your own. Stop trying to figure everything out on your own. Go to your Heavenly Father and simply ask!
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Better than Grandma? You bet!!! Spend some time today talking to your Heavenly Father and then rest!