The Father's love

Today's lead Scripture is from Luke 11:11 AMP

11.What Father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish?

12.Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13.If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!"

The above Scripture highlights the power of persistent prayer that when we continuously bring our petitions before God, He is sure to listen to us and grant our heart's desires. While appreciating the importance of persistent prayer as the Bible tells us that we ought to always pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), I wanted to focus on another aspect in this passage which is God's love for us as His children. Often times when we come to God in prayer, thoughts may come in making you question whether your prayer will be heard yet alone answered. However, Apostle Paul in Romans 8:15 NLT reminds us that "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." As God's children, we are guaranteed of His love for us as a Father.

I love the comparison in Luke 11 between earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. For those who are blessed to have loving family or care takers, you would be able to understand and appreciate the value and security of having a family that loves and adores you as their own. Luke 11 informs us that if our earthly fathers can do this, then what about our Abba Father. This portion of Scripture encourages us that just as we have the faith to trust our loved ones, caregivers and parents to look out for our best interests, God is saying that He is more than able to effortlessly and abundantly meet all our needs when we ask and rely on Him.

This does not mean that He shall grant our every heart's desire because at the same time as a loving Father, the Lord disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). This does not translate to us holding back in prayer or in our petitions to Him. Instead, we rest in the Heavenly Father's love trusting that ultimately everything will work out for our own good. Whenever I think of receiving and resting in the Heavenly Father's love, this image of a crying toddler who is displeased (maybe about their toys not aligning in a manner they desire) comes to mind. The toddler never holds back to running to their parents or caregiver regardless of how "petty" their desire maybe at the time because they know and trust that their parent or caregiver shall figure it out. I. believe this is God's desire for us as His children that is, to run to Him, to trust in Him with every detail of our life and rest in His love.

For the fatherless and those without a family or have been disappointed by family, be encouraged as God is a Father to the fatherless, a judge and protector of the widows who also makes a home for the lonely (Psalm 68:5-6).

My prayer today is may God's abundant grace lead us to continually receive God's love against all odds and in all circumstances constantly rest in His embrace as His children In Jesus Name.

I conclude with this Word in Romans 8:31 AMP

"What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?"