The relationship we build with God is one of trust — in the same way a child trusts their father. A child never questions the parent’s ability to provide, care, love, and to fulfill the promises they make. A child will even believe the most outrageous promises, simply because they trust their father. Jesus taught us to address God as Father for the first time, and ushered in a totally different relationship from how God was known in Old Testament times.
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
We know God’s kingdom is not a geographical kingdom, but it is found in the heart where He is King. God’s kingdom offers tremendous benefits that are accessed by faith to the heart that trusts Him.
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. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being 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! Matthew 7:7-11
If you then, being 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. Who will dare to compare himself to his heavenly Father?
Here is the beauty of the Father/child relationship: you don’t earn His favor by being perfect! Your Heavenly Father will take up His responsibility for your care because of His Fatherhood — because of who He is — not because of what you have done, or didn’t do.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:25,26
Are you not of more value than the birds of the air?
So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:28-30
As imperfect earthly fathers who face all kinds of limitations, we still see it as our honor to take good care of our children, often sacrificing our own care. Will your Father in heaven, Who has no limits, not much more clothe you?
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:31,32
Jesus also invites us to enter into a contract with the Father: take care of His business on earth, and He takes care of you: serve Him with your abilities, and He looks after you with His abilities:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33,34
This is a win-win deal!
We respond to God’s love by reflecting it to a lost and dying world, witnessing, encouraging, teaching, loving, giving, etc., while He takes care of us. This is how we reach the world with the good news. You cannot lose by putting your trust in Him. Do so today!
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
