God’s Not An Abusive Parent

Matthew 7:9-11 God will not give us a stone when we ask for bread.

Hebrews 12:19-23 – “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Imagine sitting in your local mall’s food court and observing a child anxiously pleading with his father for food. “Please, Papa! Please feed me. I will be super good; I’ll clean my room and do all my homework if you will just give me some food. I’ll polish your shoes if you give me some clothes to wear, please, please, please, Papa?” Now imagine that same child with an untreated broken arm, anxiously asking his Papa to take him to the hospital. “I promise, I will never climb a tree again but please, please, please, don’t leave me with this broken arm. I can’t bear it!”

If you were to witness such a display, you’d be intervening and calling your local Child Protective Services. But hold on. Continue to watch as scenes play out.

In Scene One, the father has been patiently standing by the whole time, trying to get a word in edgewise. He holds a tray of healthy food, waiting to place it before his agitated son. But the boy’s desperate gestures accompanying his plea make it difficult for his parent to provide for him.

In Scene Two, the loving father races toward his son so he can carry him to a safe place of healing, but the boy runs in the opposite direction.

As a casual observer, you might still have concerns, but you have a better picture of the situation.

In the 1970s, a certain convenience chain had a great slogan that helped me remember this bible verse.  Oh, thank heaven, for 7-11!

Matthew 7:7-11 -“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”


Personal Application

When you find yourself pleading with God with a heart full of anxiety and a secret belief that He isn’t going to come through, take a step back from your situation and ask yourself the following questions.

  • Are you praying out of a place of fear?
  • Do you believe He isn’t listening?
  • Do you believe He won’t answer you until you prove to Him how desperate you are?
  • Do you believe you must prove your worth before He will answer your prayer?
  • Do you truly believe God is good?
  • Would you consider Him a good parent?
  • Do you trust God’s default intention toward you is to bring healing, restoration, and blessing?
  • If someone was eavesdropping, would your words give them the impression you are talking to someone loving?

Calm your heart, remind yourself of the truth of who God is. Pray from a place of trust. God cares more about your situation than you do. Pray with assurance, knowing that you are a child of God. He knows your voice and responds to it. You never have to prove yourself worthy of His provision, healing, and attention. The Cross took care of that!

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All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.

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Until Next Week,

©2020 Katherine Walden

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