Devotionals

Giving And Receiving

by Linda Lawrence 
03/14/19
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“What do you have that you did not receive?” (I Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

I struggled with frustration over not being able to give God pleasure with a gift I made myself.  How could I keep receiving from Him without giving a valuable gift in return?  How could I be worthy of His many blessings?

I was like a child wanting to give daddy a present that had been bought with money earned “all by myself” — not with money given by him to buy presents.  Oh!  But that would be Self-righteousness, a “filthy rag” to Him.  I sighed, defeated in my spirit. Yet, wasn’t that a relief?  It was clear. God’s very being proclaims He is the Giver and I am the Receiver.  Since that is true, the best and only gift I can really give Him is to joyfully receive the gifts He pours out on me.  It must grieve Him if my pride keeps me from receiving and enjoying what He has planned for me as gifts and personal expressions of His love.

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. (James 1:17 NLT)  Watch a cat lying on her back in a pool of sunlight, purring, tummy exposed, paws in the air, reveling, while drinking in the warmth and light being poured upon her by her Creator.  Such a picture of receiving, contentment, satisfaction, enjoying a gift with a total lack of self-consciousness.

Jesus, God’s best gift to us, breathed on His children. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” He said.  (John 20:22 NLT)

What would give God more pleasure than for His child to eagerly and joyfully receive and revel in all His gifts, with a thankful heart?