Daily Devotion — Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Daily Verse

Thoughts for the Day

The Goodness of Our Father

Our heavenly Father is not reluctant to hear us, nor does He give grudgingly. When we ask according to His will, we may trust His generous goodness, even when His answer comes differently or later than we hoped.

A Christian Voice

Daily Devotion

In Matthew 7:11, Jesus teaches us to reason from what we already know. Even sinful parents can recognise the needs of their children and desire to give them what is good. How much more, then, will our Father in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? The comparison does not minimise our weakness; it magnifies God's goodness. Whatever kindness we have shown is only a dim reflection of the generosity that belongs perfectly to Him.

This promise invites us to pray with confidence, but not with presumption. God is not a means by which we obtain every earthly desire. He is our Father, and His wisdom is greater than ours. A loving father does not give a child everything requested simply because it is requested; he gives what is truly beneficial. Therefore, an unanswered prayer is not proof of divine indifference. The Father who gave His Son for our salvation cannot be careless with His children. His answers, whether yes, no, or wait, are governed by holy love.

Prayer also reveals what our hearts desire. We may begin by asking for changed circumstances, yet the Lord often uses prayer to draw us nearer to Himself. As David Brainerd expressed it, “O that my soul were wrap up in divine love, and my longing desires after God increased!” This is a worthy desire in every prayer: not merely that God should place gifts in our hands, but that He should increase our love for the Giver. The richest answer may be a heart made more willing to trust, more ready to obey, and more content to receive God's wisdom.

Let us therefore bring our needs plainly before the Lord today. We need not disguise our fears or pretend to possess a stronger faith than we have. We may ask as children who know that their Father hears, while surrendering the outcome to His perfect judgment. Let us also remember the good things already received: mercy for sin, access to God through Christ, daily provision, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Gratitude does not silence our requests; it teaches us to make them within the assurance that our Father is good. His generosity is not measured only by what He gives us, but by the grace with which He continually keeps us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before Thee as a needy child, trusting that Thou art good and that Thou dost hear the prayers of Thy people. Forgive me for the times I have measured Thy love by whether Thou hast granted my immediate requests. Teach me to seek Thy will above my own and to receive Thy answers with humble faith. Give me wisdom to ask for what is truly good, patience when Thou dost require me to wait, and grace to praise Thee when Thy way differs from mine. Increase my love for Thee, make me thankful for Thy mercies, and help me to walk obediently today. Through Jesus Christ, Amen.

Walk in faith today

Set aside a quiet time today to bring one specific need to God, then thank Him for three good gifts you have already received and obey the next clear command He has given you.