Is It Safe to Ask? {Matthew 7:9-10}

When We’d Rather Give

We’re so reluctant to ask.

My husband Jeff had shoulder surgery last Friday. His right arm will remain in a sling for a few days. For now, he can’t do all the things he once did.

He needs help. But he doesn’t like asking for it.

Isn’t that the way we all are?

We’re more comfortable being the givers than the takers.

• Maybe we don’t want to become indebted to a giver.
• Or we don’t think we’ll receive what we want.
• Or it hurts our pride to be on the receiving end.

But it’s safe to ask.

Know Who to Ask

Jesus kept driving home this point in the Sermon on the Mount. We resume memorizing Matthew 7 this week.

This week’s verses are:

“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?”
Matthew 7:9-10

Jesus is reminding us how the process works.

When children have needs, they ask their parents for help. The parents in turn want to meet those needs however possible.

When we, too, know who to ask, we also will receive.

And when we know to ask God? We’ll receive exactly what we need.

Remember: It’s safe to ask.

It’s Important to Ask

When Jeff asks me for help putting on his socks, I’m not going to step on his toes instead. Or when he needs a lift to physical therapy, I’m not going to give him a bicycle.

Next week we’ll hear this more firmly from Jesus in Matthew 7:11.

But this week, let’s remember to ask for what we need. It’s important to ask. Go to the Father. With confidence and courage. He wants us to.

Jesus says so: it’s safe to ask.