The King’s Pleasure

Read: Luke 12:22-34

Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:32

IN WORD

A lot of Christian instruction tells us how we have to measure up in order to get God’s greatest blessings. Our teachers don’t state things exactly that way, but that’s the implication of their words. Holiness and righteousness are prerequisites for many of the Kingdom’s benefits. “He answers our prayers only when our will aligns with His” (which never really fully happens until we’re extremely mature, of course). “He provides for our needs but rarely our wants, unless our wants are thoroughly selfless and sanctified.” And on and on. Or so we seem to think.

It’s not that way, of course. Our religious instincts make God a begrudging giver, and then only to those who are spiritually worthy. But the tone of the Gospels and the message of Scripture in general is that God is an extravagant giver who loves blessing even the least worthy in this world. He is radically generous to sinners and saints alike, delighting in surprising us with gifts of grace and glory. And He especially delights in giving His gifts to those who look forward to them rather than those who worry about whether they are going to happen. He rewards fearless hopers with the fruit of their hopes.

IN DEED

Kingdom privileges cannot be earned. Sometimes we have to position ourselves for them—you don’t give a teenager the car keys unless he has done a little preparation work. The keys of the Kingdom are a powerful tool for those with wisdom to use them. But they are still given by grace. It isn’t our worthiness that allows us to enjoy the glory of the Kingdom. It’s the Father’s pleasure that invites us into it.

Life can be a struggle, but never let that struggle convince you that the Father is reluctant to bestow Kingdom blessings. He isn’t. He looks forward to the gifts He gives, loves His own generosity, and delights in seeing smiles on the faces of His children. Enter into everything He offers without reluctance. Boldly ask for more insights, answers to prayer, and miraculous intervention. He is pleased to provide all we need and more.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 16:19

God is all that is good . . . and the goodness that everything has is His.

JULIAN OF NORWICH