What Jesus Did! 'Our Father's Graciousness' — Matthew 7:9-11

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

[Jesus continued:] "You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him."
— Matthew 7:9-11 NLT

Key Thought

If our attitude in prayer is one of persistence, God's attitude is one of grace. He longs and loves to bless us. After all, he is our perfect and wise heavenly Father. If we give our children what is best for them because we love them, our heavenly Father will do so to a completely perfect extent. We should not only be persistent in prayer; we should also be confident. The one who hears our prayers is our loving Father!

Today's Prayer

Abba Father, thank you for being so close to me and concerned for me. Thank you for finding great delight in being gracious to me. Thank you for being patient with me. Please forgive me for the times I've disappointed you or rebelled against your will. I love you Father. Please have your will triumph in my life. In the name of Jesus, my older brother, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 8:14-16, 26
  • James 1:17
  • Philippians 4:4-7

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

ASK!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, We are returning today to what is often called My Sermon on the Mount. What I want you to see today is a clear, simple, time-proven..."
Is It Time Yet?
Article by Russ Lawson
Does he really act at just the right time? Russ Lawson reminds us that even though it is hard to wait patiently, God always responds to our prayers at just the right time and we should never give up asking him for his help.
Always!
Article by Phil Ware
How can we deepen, strengthen, and become more aware of our Lord's constant and loving presence? Phil Ware reminds us of the Lord's nearness, four ways we can experience that nearness, but most importantly, he reminds us to seek the Lord's presence in our lives, always.
We All Need Jesus!
Article by James Nored and Phil Ware
Because we could not be James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we all needed Jesus' redemptive death on the cross so we could find new life in the grace of God.
See All 7 Related Resources about Matthew 7:9-11

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 7:9-11 NLT — "You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'My Soul Thirsts for You' (Ps. 63:1-2)
"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Took Pleasure in Adopting Us' (Ep. 1:5)
"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Word Comes by the Spirit' (Zc. 7:12)
"[After the return of the people of Judah from Babylon, this is what the Lord said about them,] "They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'James Murdered' (Acts 12:1-2)
"About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!