For years, I have known the counsel to “ask, seek and knock” from God’s Word.
Sometimes, I get what I asked for and sometimes I don’t. In the “don’t” times, I must remember that God has a reason for not granting the request. Maybe He is protecting me from some unknown calamity. Or maybe His timing to grant the request has not yet developed. Or… He may have any number of reasons.
One thing I can be sure of is that my heavenly Father only gives good gifts. He is never going to “bless” me with a bad, hurtful something.
Because I love my son (and daughter) I enjoy giving them good things – things that will make them happy and add to their fulfilled lives. I would never desire to give them something that would be harmful or hurtful. So, as an earthly father, if I have those intentions to give only good gifts for the betterment of my son, I realize that my heavenly Father wants to do MUCH more for me.
My earthly father wanted to give me good gifts that he knew I wanted. But he was not always able to do that.
One of the most painful Christmases of my childhood was the year I really wanted a Stingray bicycle. It was the kind that was nice and shiny with a “banana seat” and high-rise handlebars. Those bikes were the rage of the time. But my father couldn’t afford the bike and I had to settle for a miniature pool table. He was limited in his resources.
My abilities and resources are limited. His are limitless.
Even though I may not get the things I ask for, I can see the delay as being a huge blessing of His timing. As the TV show of yesteryear says…Father knows best!
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