Read: 2 Corinthians 1:12-22
All the promises of God find their Yes in him. (v. 20)
Years ago, McDonald’s ran a TV ad that featured a busy father and his young son. Throughout the day, the son runs up and asks things like: “Dad, can I parachute out of my bedroom window? Can we go shark fishing? Can I have a pet monkey?” Of course, the father’s response is always, “No.” Finally, the son asks, “Dad, can we go to McDonald’s?” The father pauses, thinks, and then says, “Yes.”
Every child is familiar with a parent or caregiver’s no. Growing up, we hear no so often that we might assume that our heavenly Father’s default response is no too. The apostle Paul argues otherwise. He claims that God is neither unpredictable nor capricious. Through Jesus Christ, God’s response to us is always yes.
This, however, raises a dilemma. In the two thousand years since Paul wrote his letter, countless Christians have experienced the disappointment of unanswered prayer. Did Paul lie? No. Like the best human parents, God does not grant every one of his children’s requests. But he never turns his children away. God always offers his undivided attention and affection. Jesus says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”(Matt. 7:11)
When we go to God in Jesus’ name, we can trust him to receive us in love and give us his best.
As you pray, trust that God’s response to you, in Christ, is always yes.
About the Author
Ben Van Arragon is the Minister of Worship and Leadership at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He preaches and teaches the Bible in church, online, and anywhere else he has the opportunity.
