Ask God Faithfully

Author: Joseph

Date: February 9, 2020

When a child asks their parent for something, they have the hopeful expectation that the parent will say yes, and they will be granted their desire. We know, however, from our own experience, that this is not always how this situation ends – and it shouldn’t always end this way. The parent will not give the child something they ask for if it will bring them harm. This is well-known. What is lesser-known is that the parent will also not do something for the child if the parent is dishonored or loses their integrity as the child’s parent by doing so. Such a request may not be bad in itself, but the way the request is made may be inappropriately performed towards the parent (e.g. screaming, whining, and other attempts at manipulation and unappreciation). Children who complain this way question the character of their parents and lack genuine trust in the quality of person the parent is. God, being the Creator of all mankind, also requires that we not only ask for what is good, but that we do so faithfully, not questioning His character or demeaning His integrity.

"...do so faithfully, not questioning His character..."

The Israelites in the wilderness were not guilty of simply complaining – they lacked overall faith in God and did not acknowledge that He going to fulfill His promise of good (c.f. Exodus 16:2-3). They were seemingly surprised when God reacted to their complaints and did not believe He would continue to provide for them afterward (Exodus 16:11-21). God could not, in the end, bring them into the land of promise because they lacked faith in Him and who He is (Deuteronomy 1:32-39). The Israelites wrongfully judged God’s character as unreliable and cruel.

David, on the contrary, complained many times (as seen in the Psalms) and yet God heard him and rescued him from his enemies and provided for his needs (ex. Psalm 55; 86). God heard David because David believed God was good and whatever God chose would be best for him. To David, God was absolutely in control. David’s complaints were made faithfully, trusting God to do what is good even if he did not get the answer he wanted (ex. 2 Samuel 12:15-23; Psalm 51). David never questioned God’s character.

Yeshua spoke, “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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened… If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:7-8). He was telling His disciples that they simply had to believe in God and ask Him for what was good. God would never deny good from those who trust in Him.

Do you approach God like a whining child, attempting to manipulate God by questioning His character? Do you often ask Him and then put Him to the test to see if He is able to fulfill your request? Seriously reconsider your approach to God if this sounds familiar in your own life. God is willing to do good and give good to you, but you must first trust in Him and cease all attempts at manipulating Him to do your will. His will alone will be done, and it will be good. If you trust in Him and ask Him faithfully, His good will for your life will be done and you will have the best He has planned for you.

Matthew 7:7-11

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org