[Monday's Devotional] - Tap Into God's Goodness

In Luke chapter 11, Jesus taught His disciples how to effectively pray. He then concludes by saying:

For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he 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, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!
Luke 11:10-13 [Amplified Bible]

I used to wonder what the last verse meant. I thought if, for example, I am asking for money to buy a house, why does Jesus conclude by saying the Father will give the best gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him. I thought this was a contradiction.

I have since learnt, God always knows what He is doing and if you want the very best answer to prayer, ask the Father for the Holy Spirit to help you get whatever you want.

Why the Holy Spirit? God knows that asking for anything without the help of the Holy Spirit, is akin to doing something in your own strength. I like what Jesus says:

 “….it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away.  Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].”  John 16:7 [Amplified bible]

So if you ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to identify and buy a dream house, you will be blessed with the best house that will exceed your expectations.  It will be like the time the Israelites asked for food in the desert and were given manna which left them asking one another, “what is it?” (See Exodus 16:15)

As the best Lawyer and Financial Adviser you can ever find, the Holy Spirit can negotiate for you the most profitable deal.  He knows the right time for you to go look for the house and the best location you could ever desire to live e.g. near shops, the school, health centre, etc. And as the Standby, He keeps an eye on everything happening, just in case you need a second opinion or extra help or advice.

If you want to experience God’s goodness and glory then, never ask for anything less that God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and help you get whatever you want.

And how do you communicate with the Holy Spirit? I find it best to pray in tongues saying, “Holy Spirit, please interpret for me what I am going to say to the Father and the Father’s reply to my request.” You then pray in the Spirit and listen to and watch God’s moves.

Farai Mutsambiwa