Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? -Matthew 7:9-11

Recently, I became a Daddy for the first time. Anna Katelyn was born Tuesday, April 1 and since then God has been letting me see the spiritual side of the Father/Child relationship. This morning I was thinking about my little girl and how much I want to make her happy. I can't help but want the very best for her. Diana and I have waited almost four years for this day. Our child is very precious to us as a result and therefore, no good would I withhold from her. That's when God reminded me of Matthew 7:11. He showed me that my love for Katelyn and my desire to give good things to her pales in comparison to what God has for me. He loves me with a greater love than man can ever have for his family. He has already given me the greatest gift - eternal life at the expense of His own Son's life. God has bankrupt heaven just for me, but he didn't stop there. Look at Ephesians 2:4-9:

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God spent His riches of mercy and love to give this filthy, dead sinner new life. Then He decided He'd give a little more so He raised me up and put me in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. All of this is just a portion of the gift of God. I love my daughter with everything in me, and I would quickly give my life for her. Yet I still could not match the life of grace, mercy, and love that my Heavenly Father has given me.

Enjoying God's gifts - Bro. Mark Fuqua

The Shepherd's Scrip

Vol.4, Num. 4, May 1997