Scripture:
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Devotional:
Ask for anything and it will be granted. At least that is what people want to read. We tend to believe that this is a blank check and can ask for anything at all. In Philippians 4:6 we are told to make known our requests. In Matthew 7:7 it says “Ask, and it will be given to you…” Jesus himself said ask and it will be given. So why are so many things we ask for not given? Why do we read what we want to and not what is really there? I have heard and read that if we want to be given what we ask for it must be asked within the scope of His will. Hmmm, doesn’t sound like a blank check to me. I can’t just ask for anything at all and expect it to be granted.
Another way to look at this is a parent with their child in the grocery store. How many times does a child ask a parent for that candy bar or toy trinket at the checkout counter? Do parents always give their child what they want? But of course, mom and dad want the best for their child and want their child to be happy. When asked for that candy bar at the checkout line sometimes mom says no. Sometimes she says yes. Then there are times when mom says I will buy the candy bar but you must wait until later to eat it.
While we can ask Jesus for anything and it be given he isn’t a genie in a magic lamp to grant us or every wish. He wants what is best for us. Our parents have a bigger picture than a four-year-old child. Jesus has a bigger picture than we do. Mom and dad know more and have more wisdom than we did at four or five. God knows more and is far wiser than we can ever hope to be. We can ask in confidence. We can be at peace knowing God knows best and will provide for us. He will grant us what He knows is best. We should also be grateful and thankful, even before asking, for God’s gifts, blessings, and provisions. Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us rejoice knowing that we will not get our every whim but be given that which we need and that which will glorify Him. God does give blessings beyond needs, just not our every whim and want…
Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Devotional:
Ask for anything and it will be granted. At least that is what people want to read. We tend to believe that this is a blank check and can ask for anything at all. In Philippians 4:6 we are told to make known our requests. In Matthew 7:7 it says “Ask, and it will be given to you…” Jesus himself said ask and it will be given. So why are so many things we ask for not given? Why do we read what we want to and not what is really there? I have heard and read that if we want to be given what we ask for it must be asked within the scope of His will. Hmmm, doesn’t sound like a blank check to me. I can’t just ask for anything at all and expect it to be granted.
Another way to look at this is a parent with their child in the grocery store. How many times does a child ask a parent for that candy bar or toy trinket at the checkout counter? Do parents always give their child what they want? But of course, mom and dad want the best for their child and want their child to be happy. When asked for that candy bar at the checkout line sometimes mom says no. Sometimes she says yes. Then there are times when mom says I will buy the candy bar but you must wait until later to eat it.
While we can ask Jesus for anything and it be given he isn’t a genie in a magic lamp to grant us or every wish. He wants what is best for us. Our parents have a bigger picture than a four-year-old child. Jesus has a bigger picture than we do. Mom and dad know more and have more wisdom than we did at four or five. God knows more and is far wiser than we can ever hope to be. We can ask in confidence. We can be at peace knowing God knows best and will provide for us. He will grant us what He knows is best. We should also be grateful and thankful, even before asking, for God’s gifts, blessings, and provisions. Let us rejoice in the Lord. Let us rejoice knowing that we will not get our every whim but be given that which we need and that which will glorify Him. God does give blessings beyond needs, just not our every whim and want…
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