“For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:10-13 (NAS)
My father worked hard to provide for his family. He gave us shelter, clothing, and food. I am certain there were a few luxuries he wanted to give us but was unable to afford. But looking back in my memories, I cannot remember ever being turned away when I asked him for something. Thinking about that, as a father myself, I am quite certain that he sacrificed so that he could give to his children.
Here in Luke’s narrative, Jesus is not giving Carte Blanche to his followers. Believers cannot have anything and everything they want simply by asking. The Lord’s point is that God is more faithful and good than human fathers. Since human fathers know how to give good things to their children, how much more certain is the goodness of God! And because of his goodness, believers can be certain that when they ask for the Holy Spirit, he will be sent to them.
Another point bears consideration. Just as children must ask their fathers for their desires, believers must ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-3).
Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Teach us to ask, seek, and knock. Empower us with faith to receive, find, and understand. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the Father’s goodness,