God Wants To Give More
Asking God for His assistance does not annoy Him. Many people ask God for only a little help because they are under the belief that He will not answer the BIG prayer requests. No where in the Bible will you see God say, “Only ask the easy stuff” but rather we are told; “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12; 1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” This does not mean we can ask for anything on our hearts and no matter what it is He will give it to us, as a perfect parent He gives perfectly not in error.
However, God’s character is better revealed with this scenario in Mark 10:13-16.
“13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”
Here we see that people just wanted Jesus to touch their children; the fact that nothing is stated regarding demon possession, serious illness, and/or death reveals they just wanted Jesus to help the children with minor issues common in children. The scenario paints a perfect picture of man asking God for something less than what He wants to do. The word “touch” in the Greek is “haptomai” which means to simply touch. They asked for something small, something insignificant; and yet God wanted to do more. This is further expounded by those who think we should not waste God’s time, the disciples rebuked the parents for even bringing a request to the Son of God. “But the disciples rebuked them.”
Here we see a total failure for people to recognize the character of Jesus Christ. They ask for little and God wants to give them more. James helps us understand this principle. James 4:2-3 “2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
We need to recognize that God wants to help us even with the BIG THINGS.
“14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.”
While there is a massive principle for us to review on a different day regarding salvation and the Kingdom of God, today we are examining that Jesus wanted to bless the children. Instead of just touching them, He does more! He embraces them, this Greek word is “enagkalizomai” which means to take one into your arms and hold them tightly. Today, we might call this a “bear hug.” God gives them a bear hug and blesses them. This was more than what the parents were asking for and yet it reveals that God is wanting to do more in our life. Yesterday was Resurrection Sunday and we need to examine what it means to have God in our life. He did more than die and rise again on the cross. We just ask for a touch and He wants to give us a bear hug and bless us. Maybe we need to stop and realize how much He really does love us and how His actions declare this.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL