Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (NASB)
I found myself having a very amusing conversation with the Lord today during my prayer time. I was actually trying to convince God to meet my needs—trying to persuade the Creator of the universe to drop a few crumbs of blessing my way to fill the very real must-haves for me and my family. I mentally assessed my own righteousness to see if I had any equity in my account…
I spent some time in prayer and Bible reading yesterday (check)
I didn’t respond to my kids in anger too much yesterday (check)
I prepared a good healthy dinner last night for my family (check)
But then of course I realized I was selfish yesterday, I was lazy at times, I was critical of someone in my heart, and I judged my husband. Of course this was only the tip of the iceberg as I realized the scope of the many other things that could derail my prayer in my own eyes. I knew I didn’t truly deserve God’s blessings and I never would, on my own. I’m just not good enough.
As I was contemplating this sad state, I felt the Spirit of God remind me of Luke 12:32. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” He reminded me, with this little verse, that it has never been about my deserving God’s blessings, but about His choice to bless me. And with the first blessing of salvation through His precious Son on the cross for me, He has chosen to lavish His love and blessings on me in every area of my life!
Let’s meditate on this blessed truth today. He has CHOSEN GLADLY (not begrudgingly or out of compulsion) to GIVE YOU the kingdom! What a glorious truth and a wonderful state of grace and blessing we find ourselves in as we receive all that He has done for us!
