The other day, my son came to me and asked, “Daddy, can you help me with this game?” It was a simple request. Yes, I was busy doing something when he asked, but I stopped what I was doing and helped him. Since I had it within my power to help him, why wouldn’t I?
In the simplest of terms: he needed my help, and I could help him. So, I did.
Now, let me ask you this–if I, an earthly father, have such a strong desire to help my child with something, how much more does our Heavenly Father want to help us in our time of need?
Matthew 7:9-11 describes this simple truth. “You parents–if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
Do you need God’s help in your life? Maybe you’re facing a difficult situation–a job loss, marital problems, a crippling illness. Are you feeling lost and lonely? Do you need some emotional and spiritual strength? Let me encourage you to turn to your Heavenly Father. He’s there, and he wants to help you.
You may say, “I don’t know where to start.” Or, “I don’t know what to do.” Sometimes, in the dark seasons of our lives, it’s hard to know what we should do. When Caleb, my son, was confused about what he should do regarding this game, he took the first step towards finding a solution–he asked his father.
I want to encourage you this week with these two verses that precede the previously quoted scripture: “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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (v. 7, 8).
This week, I encourage you to take some time to ask. Talk to your Father in heaven. Listen to him speak his encouraging words over you. He wants to help you. He wants to give you good gifts. Why? Because he’s a good Father.
Prayer: Father, I need your help. I need you to reach down from heaven and strengthen me with your peace and your rest. I ask in faith, believing that you will touch my heart and my mind, giving me the strength to rise above the fears and anxieties of this world.