A generous father

I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life – you that believe in the Son of God. We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will. He hears us whenever we ask him; and since we know this is true, we know also that he gives us what we ask from him.  (verses 13-15)

Read 1 John 5:13-21

A small child confidently approaches a parent asking for a drink. The child mightn’t even have enough language skills to construct the question, but the parent instinctively knows what is being asked and readily grants the request, knowing that it’s for the child’s good.

In the same way we, as God’s children, can approach our heavenly Father, ‘because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will’.

Even more wonderful is the fact that, since we know and believe that ‘he hears us whenever we ask him’, we also know and are reassured ‘that he gives us what we ask from him’.

What a generous Father! He sees into our hearts and knows our needs, and he is waiting to hear from us.

Generous heavenly Father, you know my heart and my needs and you provide for me above and beyond what I ask for. Help me to appreciate your loving mercies. Amen.

By Grace Bock, in “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2003)

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