Father Knows Best
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:1-8
“When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans . . . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Good fathers express the faithfulness of their love by caring for their children. I would skip meals rather than see my daughters go hungry. Caring for my children is one of my highest priorities.
Even more, however, God meets our needs better than we possibly can. God always seeks our best interests, and, since he is all-knowing, our Father really does know what is best for us. God also has the power to accomplish more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). In our shortsightedness we sometimes think we know better than God and ask for things that would ultimately unravel our lives. We even get angry when the Father fails to give us what we ask for, though he instead provides what is beneficial for us. Thank God for his perfect Father-care over our lives, even when we fail to understand why he allows some events and prevents others from happening.
Jesus let go of his own desires and submitted to the Father’s plan (Luke 22:42). Jesus trusted that his death was necessary in God’s perfect plan.
As we pray, we need not tell God what his will is for our lives; we simply need to surrender to his perfect will and thank him for his constant care. Like all good parents, our Father God desires nothing but the best for his children.
Father, may we have the vision to see your will unfolding in our lives and the faith to trust in your goodness when our vision fails. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Rob Jansons
Rob Jansons is the pastor of New Hope Fellowship in Monroe, Washington, where he has served for almost twenty years. He and his wife, Sue, have been married since 1989 and have three daughters. Rob spends time each year in Calcutta, India, working with a Christian ministry to children living in slums. He enjoys hiking in the Pacific Northwest, camping with his family, reading, writing, and being a pastor.
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