Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

This is simple logic and totally reasonable, but the problem is, we have such trouble believing and trusting that God really is our perfect heavenly Father. In the first place, our own fathers were imperfect, so our image of what a father should be is distorted. A further distortion comes from the fact that we insist that we know what we need, instead of letting God know what we want and trusting that He knows what we need. On top of that is the problem so many have of not really believing that God actually loves and cares for them. That often has roots in how we were raised, not experiencing unconditional love from anyone. Such a person may have great difficulty trusting God, but when they really get it into their minds and hearts that God does love them unconditionally, the relief and joy are overwhelming. God indeed delights to bless His children, but we have to be of the attitude and mindset that can recognize and receive such blessings before we can really enjoy them.

As I keep being reminded, I was incredibly blessed in my home environment as I was growing up. My parents certainly weren’t perfect, but they actively sought to follow the Biblical pattern of what a home should be. However, that gives me no right to look down on those who have more trouble trusting that God is what and who He says He is. I need to be gentle, patient, and persistent in teaching and leading others to know God as the loving Father that He is. I need to help them understand that as a good Father He doesn’t spoil His children, but He does delight to bless them. Japanese society has considerable confusion between loving someone and being indulgent. That can be a major barrier to their understanding God’s love, because they demand that He indulge their desires rather than giving them what is best for them. (Actually, that problem is hardly limited to Japan, but there is a specific framework for it in Japanese culture.) All I can do is seek to be obedient to God myself in modeling His strong love, even when that is misunderstood and accused of being cold and uncaring. Just as any parent, I need to remember that I am not in a popularity contest for the affections of my children (in this case, spiritual children) and do and say what they need, rather than necessarily what they think they want. That can certainly create short term friction, but it unquestionably produces the best results in the long term.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You have been doing in recent days and weeks, even when it’s felt rough at the time. Thank You that I can indeed trust You to give good things, to provide what is needed and more, for me personally and for this church. Help me lead the flock into that same position of trust, so that we may walk in all You intend for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!