Trick or Treat?
Today being Halloween, children will be going from door to
door, dressed in their costumes doing something they would never do any other
night of the year: going to the homes of strangers asking for candy. And, their request will come in the form of a
very strange phrase, “Trick or Treat!”
Of course, our children today (and their parents) don’t
really know the roots of that phrase or what it really signifies. For them it
is innocent enough. But, by using that
phrase the children are actually doing two things: (1) begging for the candy
they wish to receive; (2) threatening some kind of mischief if they don’t get
what they are asking for—although today the threat is an idle one. In a sense, it’s a shame that the children
can’t just ring the front door bell and politely ask, “May we have some candy,
please.” I’m sure that most people would
just as willingly fill their bags with candy.
But, I’m reminded today of the fact that, as one of God’s
children, when I am in need of something and thus come to God, I do not have to
beg or threaten—or cry or prove myself or do any number of tricks or good
works. All I need to do is come to him
with a humble heart and ask of him. The
promise of scripture is that God, as our good heavenly Father, is attentive to
the needs of his children and more than willing to answer their prayers. Thus, he invites us to come to him as
children with our requests.
Jesus said, “If you,
then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how
much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew
7:11 – NIV) Just before that he said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and
you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 –
NIV) The writer of Hebrews penned these words, “Let us then approach the throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 –
NIV)
I want to remind you today that, when it comes to your needs
and your relationship with God, there is no need to beg, demand, or
threaten. No matter what your need might
be today, you are invited to knock on his door, tell him what you have need of,
ask of him, and then entrust your needs into his hands. He loves you and will always do what is best for you.
Have a great day!
Pastor Tim Harris
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