Devotion
do not give pearls to dogs
Matthew 7:6-11
Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being 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!
Reflection
We must not give valuable things to people who do not appreciate them. For example, if we give flowers to monkeys, they will trample on them and tear them to pieces in no time. This is a call for spiritual discernment and wisdom. Sharing the gospel with people who ridicule and blaspheme God is like throwing pearls to dogs.
Prayer is asking, seeking, and knocking on closed doors.
Prayer is to ask until God gives, seek until God reveals, and knock until God opens the door. We must pray consistently, continuously, patiently, persistently, with perseverance, determination, and faith. We must not allow obstacles to deter, discourage, or hinder us from praying.
Prayer is like children asking their father for the things they need. In prayer, we go to our heavenly Father and ask Him for things that we need. God will give us good things when we pray according to His will. His answer may be yes, no, or wait, but it will always be the best.
Application
If we who are sinful know how to give good things to our children when they ask, how much more will God give us when we ask?
God is just a prayer away. Pray with faith, conviction, persistence, and perseverance. Do not give up if the answer does not come. God hears every word you pray. God may say yes, no, or wait but His answer is always the best. He is never late, or early, but always on time. Sometimes you may even have to fast and pray.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for divine enablement to pray with faith and conviction. Help us to overcome the fear of man through prayer. We pray for the gift of evangelism, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
