Father Knows Best

I was doing my homework for a Bible Study and this verse from Matthew 6:8 popped out at me:

 

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

 

I wrote it down, and then chewed on it. If He already knows what I need, then why do I have to ask Him? In His sovereign way, wouldn't He just give me all I need when I need it, and then I'd be content and satisfied in life? The more I thought about it, the more it appeared to me that if I had everything I needed, then I wouldn't have to pray, right? The problem is we confuse our needs with our wants! We are like little children who don't know what is best for us. We want it all!

 

Then I began to think about who my Heavenly Father is, what His personality is like, and what He wants from me. I have learned that He is intimate and involved (Psalm 139:1-18), He is kind and compassionate (Psalm 103:8-14), He is accepting and filled with joy and love (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 15:7), He is warm and affectionate (Isaiah 40:11; Hosea 11:3-4), He is always with me and eager to be with me (Jeremiah 31:20, Ezekiel 34:11, Hebrews 13:5), He is patient and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6, 2 Peter 3:9), He is loving, gentle and protective (Jeremiah 31:3, Isaiah 42:3, Psalm 18:2), He is trustworthy and wants to give me a full life; His will is good, perfect and acceptable for me (Lamentations 3:22-23, John 10:10, Romans 12:1-2), He is full of grace and mercy, and He gives me freedom to fail (Luke 15:11-16, Hebrews 4:15-16), He is tenderhearted and forgiving; His heart and arms are always open to me (Psalm 130:1-4, Luke 15:17-24), He is committed to my growth and proud of me as His beloved child (Romans 8:28-29, Hebrews 12:5-11, 2 Corinthians 7:4), and I am the apple of His eye! (Deuteronomy 32:9-10). I found these qualities on a bookmark from Gospel Light that I had in my Bible, and wanted to share these with you.

 

Isn't it comforting to have a Father like this who loves us, watches over us, takes care of us, and meets all our needs? I wonder if we, as His children, have taken Him for granted! We are so blessed and don't realize it! 

 

In regards to our prayerlife, He wants us to humbly communicate with Him. He wants us to be appreciative of the blessings He gives us, He wants us to talk to Him about anything that's on our heart, even though He already knows, and He wants us to simply ask Him. If we truly believe that He knows what is best for us, then in His perfect way and perfect time, He will answer our requests. We can trust Him that He knows best! 

 

Ask and it will be given to you,

seek and you will find,

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

He who seeks finds;

and him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread,

will give him a stone?

Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will

your Father in heaven

give good gifts to those who ask Him!

 

Jesus - Matthew 7:7-12

Thank you, Abba Father!