How many people want things and never get them because they do not ask? How many people need things and never get them because they do not ask? Jesus tells us very plainly in the Sermon on the Mount that as God’s children we do not need to be hesitant to ask God for the things we need. As humans, being the fallen creatures that we are, we know how to give our own children the things that they need. We provide for our families and give them the things that they need, so how much more can God provide for us if we just ask?
We need to make sure we understand that Matthew 7:7-11 is not a blanket statement that God will give us everything for which we ask. Many people get so upset because God does not give them everything they request; the reality is that He has never promised to give us all of our wants. We know this is true in this section especially by the example given: bread and fish. When a child asks his father for things that he needs, like food, it will be given to him. When we ask our Father for the things that we need, like food, clothing and shelter (Matthew 6:25-34), He will provide them for us. The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14).
[Editor’s Note: Yes, God provides, but there is some truth to the old adage that “God helps those who help themselves.” Man must do his part. “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV). “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligentis richly supplied” (Proverbs 13:4 ESV). God’s providence works, in tandem with man’s honest efforts, to provide blessings to His children (Romans 8:28) beyond the common blessings showered upon the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45) However, (1) one must ask (James 4:2), one must ask according to the will of God (1 John 5:14) and one must ask God, but not according to one’s “sensual delight,” ‘desires’ and ‘pleasures’ (James 4:3, Strong’s). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
