I John 3:21-22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
My daughter wants to paint her room. Purple. Now, I hate to paint! But my daughter is a good girl. She is obedient, and she tries to please her parents. She loves God, and she has a sweet spirit that makes those around her feel good about themselves. So, even though I hate to paint, her father and I feel she deserves to have a room that will make her happy. She will get her purple room.
My son wants a skateboard. He is seven. He’s a good boy, and like his sister, he loves Jesus and tries to obey. He is thoughtful and loving, and always tries to bring a smile to those around him. But he didn’t get his skateboard. The reason? Skateboards are dangerous. Mark and I know our son to be a daredevil, and we don’t feel he’s ready for a skateboard. He might break his neck! So, although our son is just as deserving as his sister, and we love him and want him to be happy, we will not grant his request.
Some people want to take the above verse to mean that God will give us whatever we want. The truth is, when we live our lives to please Him, He wants to please us. And He will find ways of blessing us beyond measure. But that doesn’t mean we can snap our fingers and have our skateboards! It does mean, however, that we are free to ask for the skateboard, and we can trust that He will always give us His very best for our lives.
Dear Father, Thank You for Your good gifts, which cannot be counted! I want my life to please You. Please help me to only want those things, to only ask for those things which fit into Your perfect plan for my life.
Amen
Renae,
This is an excellent example. So many people think God will give us anything we ask if we have enough faith. Sometimes we don’t understand why He says no, but we can be confident He knows what’s best.
Thanks, Lillie. It’s hard to understand, sometimes, why He gives some people what they ask for and not others. But as you said, we can be confident that He knows what’s best for us.
What a great illustration of a spiritual truth, Renae. Sure is good to be able to trust God to bring about what’s best for us. Btw, good for you on giving in to purple 🙂 I had a pastel orange when I was a teenager 🙂
haha! I never would have pictured you as an “orange” person, Cheryl! 🙂