Today’s scripture: Luke 11:5-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):
Key Verse: 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.” (KJV)
I hear many people say, and I’ve said it myself, “I don’t trust everybody.” Maybe you’ve said it and it hasn’t been that long ago. Now, no matter how our trust issues came to be, I believe that we don’t like ourselves when we’re not trusting. We like being calm, relaxed, and comfortable. It feels good to be among others who help us feel secure and confident. If you can be honest, those people are people whom you really know. You have seen them in action, and they have displayed consistent character and fortitude in your presence. They have displayed characteristics that you find admirable. They are predictable. The bottom line is that you trust whom you really know. Do you know God? Do you really know God? In today’s Bible reading, God wants to be revealed to you, so that you can trust God more.
God is there for you whenever you need God (vv. 5-6). The traveler came to his friend at midnight, which was way beyond when families went to bed in Jesus’ day.
God’s desire toward you is to treat you generously and provide for you richly (v. 5). The friend with the visitor asked his neighbor for three loaves, so that there would be plenty to feed his visitor and some to send with him on his way when he left.
God has a network of reliable people who can help whenever it is needed (vv. 5, 7, 8). The friend in need called his friend, and that friend helped even though it was inconvenient.
God is not complicated (v. 9). God has a simple formula for accessibility. God’s relationships with us are simple and drama-free. They require our participation; yet what relationship doesn’t?
God is faithful, impartial, and consistent (v. 10). God follows through on God’s Word to all who call upon and need the help of God.
God blesses (v. 11). God will give you that which will sustain you, not weary or work you. In this verse, bread implies life and sustainability. The rock refers to hardship and anguish.
God is practical (v. 11). God will give you abundance and vitality, not things that keep you unproductive and unfruitful. The fish represents fertility and blessing, while the serpent represents sabotage and unfruitfulness.
God is gracious (v. 12). God will give you new opportunities to grow, not poison you for your need of God or of divine help. God realizes that we all need a little help sometimes.
Lastly, God is thorough (v. 13). God will give you more than you ask for, while giving you exactly what you need and while showing you the cause for your need and bring you a solution so that you don’t have to struggle with those needs ever again through his Holy Spirit.
You may have had moments when trusting God was, to say the least, challenging. May seeing God as someone you can know better, help you trust God more.
Prayer of the day: Lord, often times my faith or trust in you is weak, because honestly I really don’t know you in the light of my issue. As I read your Word and you reveal yourself to me, help me to know you better, so I can trust you more. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.