Possibly like you, I’ve been called many different nicknames in my lifetime. In digging into the Facts That You’ve Never Known About Billy file, I’ll let you know that a few of the names were Billy Boy, Sweet William, and Stud Muffin (well, that one might be just in my imagination). Another interesting fact is that I have never been called Mister Rocket Scientist, Brainiac Burns, or the Mensa Man. For the life of me, I can’t understand this oversight. As a child, I will admit that I was so bright as a child that my momma called me son. (I can hear your groan.)
All joking aside (was I joking?), I love when Jesus spoke and made His thoughts so clear that the Mensas or the Densas, brilliant or not too brilliant, could understand what He was communicating. Take for example this verse.
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children:
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit
to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13
I love the way that the Good News Translation paraphrases Jesus’ words.
“As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children.
How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit
to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13
In reading this verse, it is impossible to get confused. Whether you are a brainiac or a simpleton, it should be easy to say, “I’ve got it”! The “duh”, “I wonder”, “It just might be” thoughts questioning God’s earnest desire for His children to enjoy and benefit from the giving of the Holy Spirit are eliminated in this one simple and yet powerful statement. In essence, Jesus is telling us that no matter what our “A-game” might be in blessing and giving to our children, our heavenly Father is the “Great Outdoer”, One who delights in being the “how much more” Father who refuses to be outdone by dad and mom. It’s not a simple “more” but instead a “how much more” passionate desire on His part for you to receive His gift of the Holy Spirit.
This is so incredible. INTENSE DESIRE + INCREDIBLE GIFT = SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE TO REFUSE!
