Supply and Demand (2)
We were at the shop early yesterday morning needing some milk and bread for breakfast. Alas we were too early! The distribution depot are struggling to keep up with the demand. The supplies are there but people are emptying the shelves faster than they can refill them. There was nothing the shopkeeper could do to help. There is a problem of 'supply and demand'.
God's storehouse are full of grace. In Luke 11 Jesus is teaching us the procedure we should follow in requesting extra resources so as to avoid any issue of supply and demand with regards to divine grace.
(1) Fill in the order form. IN Luke 11 Jesus tells the story of a man who urgently needs bread for an unexpected visitor. The man goes where he knows he can get bread and he keeps asking until he gets it. Jesus goes on to say these famous words "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened". God has put us in a position of great responsibility of "filling in the order forms".
(2) Submit it to the right Person. No point sending the order to the wrong depot. "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give..." There are many kind-hearted people - not just Christians - putting themselves in danger and working hard to give everything they can in this time of need and we can thank God for them. But there is always a limit to what we mere people can give. Send the order forms to our Heavenly Father - confident that He can do infinitely more than we can and cares infinitely more than we do.
(3) Ordering the right things. It might be tempting to fill the form in with those things which we like but a good steward will put aside personal preference and order what is needed. Luke 11:13 summarises our need in one entry. "...how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" He alone has the wisdom, the power, the presence, the authority, to apply the solutions of the Cross to the need of sinful people in a sinful world. He alone can equip us with the faith and assurance, peace and joy to face uncertain times, and the contentment to watch our cupboards and bank balances slowly empty. He alone can give us the wisdom to speak and act as God wants us to - words of gospel truth and acts of gospel mercy - so that His purposes are fulfilled.
God's storehouse are full of grace. In Luke 11 Jesus is teaching us the procedure we should follow in requesting extra resources so as to avoid any issue of supply and demand with regards to divine grace.
(1) Fill in the order form. IN Luke 11 Jesus tells the story of a man who urgently needs bread for an unexpected visitor. The man goes where he knows he can get bread and he keeps asking until he gets it. Jesus goes on to say these famous words "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened". God has put us in a position of great responsibility of "filling in the order forms".
(2) Submit it to the right Person. No point sending the order to the wrong depot. "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give..." There are many kind-hearted people - not just Christians - putting themselves in danger and working hard to give everything they can in this time of need and we can thank God for them. But there is always a limit to what we mere people can give. Send the order forms to our Heavenly Father - confident that He can do infinitely more than we can and cares infinitely more than we do.
(3) Ordering the right things. It might be tempting to fill the form in with those things which we like but a good steward will put aside personal preference and order what is needed. Luke 11:13 summarises our need in one entry. "...how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" He alone has the wisdom, the power, the presence, the authority, to apply the solutions of the Cross to the need of sinful people in a sinful world. He alone can equip us with the faith and assurance, peace and joy to face uncertain times, and the contentment to watch our cupboards and bank balances slowly empty. He alone can give us the wisdom to speak and act as God wants us to - words of gospel truth and acts of gospel mercy - so that His purposes are fulfilled.
Thanks Ben, this is very encouraging.
ReplyDelete