This week as we continue our trek through the sermon on the mount, we find ourselves in Matthew 7:7-12…
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone? 10 Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake? 11 If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Have you ever read a piece of scripture that raised more questions than it answered?
I like the comparison that we are like children and God desires to give us good gifts. How beautiful is that concept.
But what about the times I prayed and what I prayed for didn’t happen. Does that mean it was a stone or a snake? Were there times when you prayed for a good thing and didn’t happen?
Try reading this passage from The Message…
7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
12 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
Did that help to increase your understanding? Yeah, me neither.
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
A catchy tune for the children…
