A stone or bread?

What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? – Matthew 7:9

No loving father would give a stone or a snake to his hungry son if he asked for a piece of bread or a fish. Jesus used the absurdity of that analogy in MATTHEW 7 to underscore the heavenly Father’s readiness to give good things to His children when they ask Him. He wanted them to have complete confidence in the Father’s provision for their spiritual needs.

Sometimes, however, it may seem as if the Lord has given us "stones" instead of "bread". But in His wisdom, He actually is working through our circumstances to give us something far better than what we requested. An unknown author expressed it this way:

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve;

I was given poverty that I might be wise,

I asked for power and the praise of men;

I was given weakness to sense my need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for but everything I hoped for;

In spite of myself, my prayers were answered –

I am among all men most richly blessed.

Yes, God always gives us what’s best for us. – Richard W. De Haan

READ: MATTHEW 7:7-11

We may ask amiss, but God answers aright.