Today’s Reading
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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!” (-Matthew 7:7-11)
A few years ago, when both of our children were in college, we wanted to provide cars for them both. Since their campuses were at opposite ends of the state, the logistics of getting them to and from school was a real challenge. At the same time, our church had started a building campaign for an expansion project and was asking for a three-year pledge from all of the members. The church was bursting at the seams and we wanted to be faithful and help with that need. In our prayers, we sensed God continually challenging us to increase the amount we thought we could give and ended up pledging the amount we had saved for the cars. During this same season, we had been praying for a beloved older couple, relatives who were well-off financially and we thought would be blessed if they could experience the joy of giving generously.
In faith, we pledged the savings originally intended for the cars, praying that God would bless the church and that it would be a testimony of trust and faithfulness for our children. Just as Tony Evans says in his book The Power of God’s Names, whatever it is that you’re holding on to so tightly – whether it’s your career, family, marriage, health finances, search for a mate – you have to let that go in order to experience Jehovah Jireh.
Shortly after we made our pledge, out of the blue, we received a check in the mail from this older couple, for the exact same amount as our pledge, with a note saying they wanted to help with the purchase of the cars. As glad as we were to have the funds, we were even happier to see their joy in giving. What an incredible answer to our prayers and an opportunity to demonstrate to our children how God provided through trusting in Him!
Reflection
Has there been a time when you felt you didn’t want to ask for too much from God? Are your prayers too small, thinking you don’t deserve more? Why or why not?
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you are bigger than all of my needs. That you delight in providing more than what I could ever ask. May I never be too afraid to ask for the good things that you have waiting to give to your children. May my prayers reflect this belief and trust that as Jehovah Jireh, you are my great Provider for all that I need and all that is good for me. Thank you Lord. Amen.