Candy For Breakfast!

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:24

Have you ever wondered why children never hesitate to ask for anything? They have the audacity to ask if they can eat candy for breakfast, buy a toy every time they are in a store, and stay up past bedtime on a school night. And on a more practical level, they ask for something to drink when they are thirsty, help with their homework when they are struggling, and new shoes for gym class. The reason they come to their parents so freely is that they are dependent upon them, and they understand that without asking, they won’t receive.

God’s purpose in instructing us to ask Him for anything is to remind us to be dependent upon Him and give Him the glory when He provides for us. So often we rob Him of the glory and ourselves of joy when we become self-sufficient. The Bible clearly states that we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).

Whenever we have a need, let us try going to the Lord first. We should ask without hesitation, keep our motives in check, and expect God to provide.

He is your Shepherd, and has charged Himself with the care and keeping of you . . . for with such a Shepherd how could it be possible for you ever to want any good thing?

HANNAH WHITALL SMITH