Good Words for Today: September 23

“What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” (Matthew 7:9-10). Good fathers are eager to help their children. This is what fathers do. They give “good” gifts to their children. If your child asks for a stone or a snake, will you give it to him? No. What if he begs? No. What if he pleads? No. What if he says, “I can’t live without that snake?” You still say no. Children often ask for foolish things, which are withheld. The same is true with God. Often we plead for things that to us seem like bread but to God are like a poisonous snake. Our Heavenly Father says no, not because he hates us but because he loves us. We often ask for things that would harm us. It might be a new job or a bigger salary or a new husband or a new wife. But God sees through to the end and knows that what we have asked for would harm us more than help us. Sometimes God’s no is the surest sign of his love for us.    

September 23, 2016