Devotion Corner

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The highly respected Anthropologist, Clay Jones, concluded after years of historical study on the atrocities committed by mankind against its fellow man, “evil is human.” Even though we are desperately wicked at a basic level (Jeremiah 17:9), there remains a built-in witness, our conscience, of what is right and wrong. This witness declares to every culture across the globe and throughout the generations, that public nakedness is wrong; that murder is wrong; that theft is wrong; that adultery is wrong, and much more. This means this awareness is not a cultural/societal construct, but an ingrained awareness of morality. This awareness must have come from an intelligent, personal, independent source; that being the God of the Bible.

This innate awareness of morality is displayed by us when we lovingly gift things to our children, despite our evil, fallen nature. We see examples of this parental generosity many times over each day out and about, and we rarely doubt its sincerity or ease of access for the child. Yet when it comes to our trust in the goodness of our Heavenly Father, we often live in doubt as to whether He will provide good and worthy things for us. Many times, it’s not because we doubt His ability to provide, but it’s His willingness we sometimes question. Yet as Jesus showed, if a flawed, sinful, evil man can give good gifts to his children freely, why do we ever question our perfect Heavenly Father’s willingness to do so?!

This doubt may arise from the simple fact that we are often reluctant to ask from our Father that which is truly good for us; that being a filling up with the Holy Spirit. Our flawed understanding of the wonderful goodness of our Father, leads us to be hesitant of seeking such a good and worthy gift. Our Father delights in giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask of Him, because it shows a deep trust of His goodness, and a true understanding of what is valuable. As any wise father is pleased when their child asks for a good resource that will develop their skills and knowledge, and not a frivolous item that will soon gather dust in a cupboard; so too our Father is pleased when we ask of a gift (the Holy Spirit) that will develop our love and understanding of Him.