The story I am about to tell is not my original thought. I can't however remember where I read this illustration. It has impacted me powerfully, but I am sorry I can not attribute the story to the source.
Imagine with me that you have a really wealthy rich uncle who loves you very much. He calls you on the phone and invites you to a home that he has had built for you. That's right, he has built a home with you in mind. No strings attached, he wants you to come and receive the home. You travel to his, well..., your new home and it is amazing. It is everything you could hope for in a home. Your uncle has spared no expense. When you enter the home you see that he not only built the home, but he has furnished it. He has taken great care to know your preferences and the whole house is furnished better than you could have done it yourself. You tour your new home with amazement and come finally to the dining room. When you come in you find that your uncle has prepared a celebratory meal to welcome you. All your favorites are on the table, it is a grand feast. As you sit to enjoy the meal you reach for the salt and pepper. Now you realize that your uncle has forgotten one detail. There are no salt and pepper shakers on the table. Then you ask, "Uncle, can you please provide me with a salt and pepper shaker?"
This imaginary uncle may respond in one of two ways. Maybe he will be offended. Maybe he will call you a discontent ingrate and lecture you about counting the blessings he has provided instead of focusing on the one detail you are without. You will appreciate the gift he has given even as you flush with the embarrassment of having been shamed with your inconsiderate approach to your uncle. Or perhaps he will respond differently. Maybe he will survey the table and with a chuckle in his voice he will say, "I failed to get the shakers?" He will will say I have given all these good things to you, of course it would be my joy to add such a small detail to the gift. You will enjoy your meal and realize you have a good uncle.
With all stories, you can't make all details into direct parallels. I want to ask you to consider which kind of uncle best represents your view of God. Obviously God is not the kind of God to forget any detail, however small, so it doesn't carry straight across, but I want you to consider how you view God. Do you think God receives our approach to make a request of him with resentment or with joy and grace?
Can I suggest that the God of the Bible seems better represented by the second uncle's reaction. Romans 8:31-32 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" He has given his best, what would he now withhold? He invites our requests. Luke 11:9-10 "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (10) For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." He goes further to say Luke 11:11-13 "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; (12) or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (13) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"" If sinful fathers can lovingly bless their children see how a sinless God blesses his children with all good things...and best of all, he gives himself.
I hope you will approach with confidence God's throne of grace. I hope you will come as His child through Jesus Christ. Yes come humbly, but because of God's goodness you don't have to fear you are being presumptuous to ask. You have been invited!
Imagine with me that you have a really wealthy rich uncle who loves you very much. He calls you on the phone and invites you to a home that he has had built for you. That's right, he has built a home with you in mind. No strings attached, he wants you to come and receive the home. You travel to his, well..., your new home and it is amazing. It is everything you could hope for in a home. Your uncle has spared no expense. When you enter the home you see that he not only built the home, but he has furnished it. He has taken great care to know your preferences and the whole house is furnished better than you could have done it yourself. You tour your new home with amazement and come finally to the dining room. When you come in you find that your uncle has prepared a celebratory meal to welcome you. All your favorites are on the table, it is a grand feast. As you sit to enjoy the meal you reach for the salt and pepper. Now you realize that your uncle has forgotten one detail. There are no salt and pepper shakers on the table. Then you ask, "Uncle, can you please provide me with a salt and pepper shaker?"
This imaginary uncle may respond in one of two ways. Maybe he will be offended. Maybe he will call you a discontent ingrate and lecture you about counting the blessings he has provided instead of focusing on the one detail you are without. You will appreciate the gift he has given even as you flush with the embarrassment of having been shamed with your inconsiderate approach to your uncle. Or perhaps he will respond differently. Maybe he will survey the table and with a chuckle in his voice he will say, "I failed to get the shakers?" He will will say I have given all these good things to you, of course it would be my joy to add such a small detail to the gift. You will enjoy your meal and realize you have a good uncle.
With all stories, you can't make all details into direct parallels. I want to ask you to consider which kind of uncle best represents your view of God. Obviously God is not the kind of God to forget any detail, however small, so it doesn't carry straight across, but I want you to consider how you view God. Do you think God receives our approach to make a request of him with resentment or with joy and grace?
Can I suggest that the God of the Bible seems better represented by the second uncle's reaction. Romans 8:31-32 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" He has given his best, what would he now withhold? He invites our requests. Luke 11:9-10 "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (10) For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." He goes further to say Luke 11:11-13 "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; (12) or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? (13) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"" If sinful fathers can lovingly bless their children see how a sinless God blesses his children with all good things...and best of all, he gives himself.
I hope you will approach with confidence God's throne of grace. I hope you will come as His child through Jesus Christ. Yes come humbly, but because of God's goodness you don't have to fear you are being presumptuous to ask. You have been invited!
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