“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8 (NKJV) As a result of our human condition, there has always been a conflict between what we perceive to be our wants and our needs. We typically want what we don’t need, and then on the other hand what we need we don’t want. Perhaps it is a bad case of misplaced priorities but it is symptomatic of our flesh or our old sin nature. The world has taught us to want with passion and desire, all of the things that advertisers, marketers, and researchers say we should want. And then they provide avenues for us to obtain those things, often at a compromise, even when they may not be what we need. Sad thing is, we already know that we don’t need them, and in many cases if not all, we can’t afford them. Yet and still we begin our relentless pursuit to have something that we don’t need even when we don’t even know within ourselves why we want it. That is often where the conflict begins. It’s our lust, the allure, and a subtle and powerful seduction from the evil one. It is a trap and a set up. We don’t need it, we just want it. It looks good, smells good, and perhaps will even taste good until we discover that what we wanted was not anywhere close to fulfilling our actual need. As a result, we walk away empty and guilty of sin. Wants have their place but thank God He knows what we need before we utter one word through prayer, petition, or praise. God knowing what we need does not suggest or imply that He is not aware of our wants. If that were the case it would be in direct conflict to His omniscience or His ability to know all things. But perhaps there is the alternative implication that He knows what we need, because in meeting our needs, if we are willing to be content in that regard, He actually satisfies our wants? Now in respect to wants, the bible speaks in large amounts that God is also concerned about what we wants. The classic proof text is found in Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.” But notice that the idea of “want’ it this passage has nothing to do with our desires but it simply means that we will not be in “lack.” This provides us an even greater consideration. Could it be that we will not be in lack because God knows and grants us the things that we need by way of priority? You decide. So then if God know what we need before we ask, then why should we ask? That’s a great question. When we ask God for the things that we need, even though He already knows what they are, it is our personal acknowledgement before heaven and earth that He is the only one that can meet our needs. Only God can. Others may try, but only God can. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:36:10 +0000
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